"Knee Defender" Airplane Device Ignites Air Travel Battle: To Recline or Not?

This cartoon--overstating things a bit--is from Slate.

I've written in this space, recently even, about the extreme divide between Americans, on a variety of subjects. Usually, these battles fall directly along partisan lines, but there's a new one. New to me, anyway. And that is, the subject of whether or not an airline passenger should recline their seat in flight.

This never occurred to me as a "me vs. them" issue. I mean, never. I don't always recline my chair, but I often do. The comfort level increase is marginal, but it's often easier to catch a few Zs, or even get a better vantage point of your electronic device, book or movie from the ever-so-slightly-reclined position. Ellen DeGeneres used to do a bit on the laughable difference between reclined and upright, with a tiny shift of her upper body deciding her fate in an emergency: "[upright] live. . . [slight tilt] die."

The "Knee Defender", Image from USAToday

But, with the news item about a diverted United Airlines flight, sparked by two passengers fighting over leg room (and the use of a "Knee Defender" gadget that locks another passenger's seat upright), two camps have emerged: a) people who think that passengers who recline are unfathomably rude; and b) people who recline, and are mightily pissed that they're being called rude!  The no-recliners claim that the other passenger is invading their space, and the recliners claim that the other passenger is preventing them from using the space they've paid for.

There is no way this is a new issue, but I'll be damned if I've ever heard of it. Certainly, occasionally, a seat will over-recline, and I can see politely asking for someone to adjust a bit. And I'm aware that not everyone is 5' 8" like me, and are more cramped than I am. And I'd get it if I was over-hogging an arm rest, if I were grotesquely obese, and overflowed into another passenger's seat. I'd get it if by reclining my seat, I was doing something that is somehow not allowed, breaking the rules by misusing the seat. But these seats are designed to recline!

You can put me firmly in the "I am inclined to recline" camp. If you ask me nicely, I may accommodate you. If you're rude to me about it? Forget it. I'll wallow in that reclined seat.

[Excerpt]

United flight diverts over 'Knee Defender' fight

On Sunday, a fight between two passengers over personal space, a thrown cup of water and the use of a controversial plastic gadget that prevents airline seats from reclining caused United Airlines Flight 1462 from Newark, N.J., to Denver to divert to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the AP reports. . .

Read more at: USAToday

And here is a link to a previous story about the appropriateness of reclining: The Recline and Fall of Western Civilization

Alec Baldwin Let Go from "Up Late"

Image from The Hollywood Reporter

I could see this coming before the premiere. I'll confess to liking Alec Baldwin since before Beetlejuice despite his mercurial real-life. He's had relationship troubles, he's had family troubles, he's had temper troubles all over the place. He's threatened to leave the country and threatened to quit show business, more than once. I've lost count of the legit tabloid scandals. But he's a great actor, and actually a smart and astute political mind.

There just isn't a forum for this guy that would work. It's amazing that he held it together for as long as he did on 30 Rock. And thank goodness he did, given how good both he and the show were. But starting with the promos that ran on MSNBC with Ed Schultz (awkward), and then the title ("Up Late" at 10 pm on a Friday night?), the show just didn't look like a winner.

Honestly, I think I caught at least part of each episode, mostly because I was probably finishing playing Candy Crush Saga after watching The Rachel Maddow Show. It wasn't a news show. It was more like a quiet PBS interview show, or maybe something like Tom Snyder used to do. I was actually very interested in his 2001: A Space Odyssey reunion with Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood. But it didn't ever feel like a real show, with a long-term future. How could it?

"My" Alec Baldwin, with Geena Davis, in
Beetlejuice

Sometimes I feel like I need to defend a liberal who has been sort of shamed out of a job, especially if the right is heaping undeserved scorn on them. Not so much with Alec. I will continue to enjoy his past works, and I'll keep an eye on what he does in the future. But this was bound to happen.

[Excerpt]
 

Alec Baldwin's MSNBC show "Up Late" is ending.

The New York Post reported Tuesday that the host has been fired. A spokesman for Baldwin raised objections to the word "fired," but told the Post, “The show is not coming back. He had questions on whether he wanted to continue. . .”

Read more at: Huffington Post

War on Christmas, Darling (A Rocky Mountain Mike Song Parody)

How'd I miss this one? Thanks, Mike!

 

Sick of ObamaCare Squabbles

Blue Dogs be cryin'. Image from source, Think Progress

I'm sure critics of ObamaCare and President Obama in general would credit my frustration and irritation over the squabbling to be because they're attacking my President. "The Anointed One" as Sean Hannity so cluelessly calls him. But that's not it. I can take criticism of somebody I voted for. I'm not the swooning type. Obama was an infinitely better choice than either Mitt Romney or John McCain (2008-version), and I stand by my vote. But he's not perfect, and I never thought he was.

No, I'm tired of all the whining because I don't care about the rocky rollout of the Affordable Care Act. If they never get the wheels on straight, and if people never get signed up right, or the whole thing collapses under its own weight, sure. Then I'll care about what's going on. But it's early. There are months before people need to be signed up. Web sites are fixable, and it will get fixed, or rather, as fixed as any huge website gets (there will be crashes and outages no matter how good it is, just like Facebook, Twitter and other large sites crash occasionally). The actual product could fail. But it hasn't yet. We won't know for months, or years if it's a "trainwreck," as conservatives are fond of calling it. All of them, seemingly.

But you know what? Conservatives don't care either. Or rather, they're not really upset about it. They're digging it. Loving it. Eating it up. Don't believe for a second that they have an ounce of concern for anyone who was "lied to," and lost their crappy, sub-standard insurance plan. From day one, Republicans fought the ACA with every breath. Though it originated at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and found its way into Mitt Romney's Massachusetts health care plan before making its way to the national stage, even when it was watered down to please Republicans, they still didn't vote for it.

Since it became law, they've done everything they possibly could do to sabotage it. They've lied about "death panels," refused to implement state exchanges in GOP-controlled states, and waged a public relations campaign to destroy public confidence in it. And when there ultimately were problems, they now are "furious" that things aren't going smoothly. Please spare me.

Frankly, it is unfortunate that things haven't rolled out any better than they have. But guess what? If the website worked perfectly, if 1,500,000 people were signed up already, if 85% of the people were thrilled with the product, Right Wing World would be saying it wasn't enough, it was still socialism, and would be hyping the stories of the 15% who had problems. Of that, I have no doubt whatsoever.

But boy, I wish a Kardashian would do something crazy, a comet would come ThisClose to the earth, or there would be a surprise Game of Thrones/Downton Abbey crossover event to get the news cycle onto a different story. I'm sick of hearing it. I mean seriously, two states have passed gay marriage, and the biggest typhoon to ever appear anywhere hit the Philippines, and they barely moved the needle news-wise. We heard about health care reform for years when it was under development, and I was sick of it then! But here's what we're getting, even from the so-called liberal side of the blogosphere. . .

[Excerpt]

Senate Dems Scramble To Save Face Amid Woeful Obamacare Rollout

Senate Democratic leaders have no imminent plans to hold a vote on legislation to "fix" Obamacare and are instead working with the White House on administrative solutions to address insurance cancellations under the law, according to party leadership aides. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Abortion Boogaloo Part Eighty-Seven: Scott Walker Anti-Abortion Law Thwarted

Governer Scott Wanker Walker, Image from source, DailyKos

I always feel the need to point out, when I post one of these stories, that abortion has never been one of my issues. It still isn't, really, except that I'm forced into a position by the odiousness of the GOP on the issue. Most of the support they get for these laws hinges upon the "twenty weeks/fetal pain" part of them. They've convinced a lot of fence-sitters that a) a fetus is viable and can feel pain at 20 weeks, something that is scientifically dubious and, b) that the main and/or only thing they're after is to stop "late term abortions." You might even add c) convincing voters that 20 weeks is late term, that it's common, and that it's used frivolously as birth control.

But there is in fact a whole lot more in play than just the 20 weeks rule. If that was all there was to it (and if there were exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother), the outcry wouldn't be nearly so loud. What they're really trying to do--I'm convinced--is spur a lawsuit that eventually gets before the Supreme Court, in an effort to undo Roe v. Wade. Republican governors and legislatures are trying to outdo each other in that effort, and seemingly are also trying to see who can do it in the most dickish way. Who knew there were tea party bonus points for dickishness? Oh, who am I kidding, I knew.

The funny thing is how transparent it all is. Passing arbitrary "trap" laws that make it impossible to operate clinics legally, and then sometimes creating catch-22 counter-laws that make a legal paradox that would give any lawyer a headache. They end up shutting down health clinics that provide much more than just abortion, sometimes the only resource poor women have for health care. They unwittingly (or purposefully) outlaw many forms of birth control and possibly in vitro fertilization, because of the verbiage they use defining (or redefining) pregnancy, fertilization, implantation, etc. And they do it in the most underhanded, skeevy ways possible, often right before live television cameras.

So, it's always nice to see them get shut down, or stalled. I'm hoping that some loud voices can cut through all of the political theater, to clearly show the kinds of consequences all of these laws could lead to.

[Excerpt]

Breaking: Judge Blocks Wisconsin Anti-Abortion Law

Yeah!  The 9 day from introduction to legislative passage, signed secretly into law during a holiday weekend by cowardly Governor Scott Walker has been partially blocked from implementation for 10 days by a judge. . .

Read more at: DailyKos

Hopefully My Last Chick-fil-A Post

This image was captured from VoenixRising, a blog I've been a fan of for a long time. Ordinarily, when I excerpt things from the site, I don't include a link, because--while I very much enjoy Mark Alexander's site--it does often include not safe for work (NSFW) images and content. But right this minute, I'm not much caring about that. And if you've read this far already, you've been warned anyway.

So, right now, I don't really care about anyone's feelings of "inappropriateness." Here's the link. If you don't like gay stuff or nekkid gay dudes, don't go there! VoenixRising

The Kissing Marines Speak! (Video)

Image from Miami Herald

Surely, by now you've seen the photo of the kissing Marines, one of them returning from Afghanistan, to his boyfriend in Hawaii. There are some notable things about the picture: 1) the returning Marine was climbing his boyfriend (who is very tall); 2) to gays, the photo is romantic and/or hot; 3) to some straights, the photo is icky, gross, yucky, sick, revolting, disgusting, and the two men are going to hell; and 4) if it were a photo of a straight couple, we'd never have seen or heard of it.

The reality is, while the photo is destined to become iconic, it would hardly be newsworthy if it weren't two men, right after the lifting of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And, while there are some frothing at the mouth homophobes declaring it to the most vile image ever lensed, and a sign of the end times, I think they're going a bit overboard, don't you? "It's a violation, he's in uniform!" they declare, ignoring the fact that the rule is regularly waived for returning troops.  "God says. . ." NO, stop right there. Your religion does not rule the land.

Anyway, this photo did get some nasty--and shouldn't that be telling?--comments, but also a huge amount of gushing praise. I'd say on the whole, it will be remembered along with the abolition of DOMA, of this moment in history. And the two men--who say they had no idea this would take off this way--seem like great guys. Haters are going to hate, but they're not the ones who will be remembered here.

Troy Davis Executed Despite High-Level Pleas

Image from source, MSNBC

I didn't know much about this case before Tuesday night. Davis's was the latest in a series of executions of people who just might not have been guilty of the crime they were accused of. The things that stand out to me:

- This crime happened in 1989. 22 freaking years ago.
- This guy was in his mid-40s, but was in his early 20s when this happened. Very different ages.
- One of the other guys associated with this crime seems just as likely to have done it.
- 7 out of 9 witnesses have recanted their testimony. That's a lot.
- Despite pleas from former President Jimmy Carter and the friggin' POPE, the US Supreme Court wouldn't hear it. Which means nothing would sway them I guess.

I have no idea if Troy Davis was guilty. But the possibility is very, very frightening.  If this man wasn't guilty, I can only hope that the attention he has drawn will help prevent any further innocent people from being executed.


[Executed]

Georgia executes Troy Davis after his last pleas fail 

Troy Davis was put to death by lethal injection late Wednesday for the 1989 murder of an off-duty police officer, maintaining his innocence until the end after convincing thousands of it, but not the justice system. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

The Real Right Wing Agenda: Gays and Abortion (Anti. . .Duh)

This is possibly the best political cartoon ever. This encapsulates a big chunk (25%?  33%?) of the electorate's priorities, astoundingly.

Source: VoenixRising

Newsflash: George H.W. Bush Spoke to the School Children

The crazy idea of the President of the United States of America addressing the nation's school children still has people in a lather. But like every other ridiculous controversy this year, there is little thinking involved. As I posted earlier, Ronald Reagan, patron saint of the Republican Party not only addressed school kids, his really was a political message. George W. Bush was in a classroom on the morning of September 11, 2001, for goodness' sake, in one of his many embarrassing moments.

I'm not sure if Bill Clinton addressed kids in this way, but I wouldn't be surprised. One thing is for sure, George H.W. Bush did, and it's on his official Presidential Library web site. So, when you hear some wingnut say that this sort of thing is unheard of, link them to the following:

[Excerpt]

Remarks to Students and Faculty at Alice Deal Junior High School (1991-10-01)

Thank you, Ms. Mostoller, and thanks for allowing me to visit your classroom to talk to you and all these students, and millions more in classrooms all across the country. (Ed: emphasis mine).

You know, long before I became President I was a parent. I remember the times that my kids came up with a really tough question or a difficult decision. I tried my best never to shut them down with a quick ``no.'' I would simply say those three magic words that made that problem disappear: ``Ask your Mother.'' [Laughter]

Let me tell you why I've made the trip up from the White House to Alice Deal Junior High. I'm not here to teach a lesson. You already have a very good teacher. I'm not here to tell you what to do or what to think. Maybe you're accustomed to adults talking about you and at you; well, today, I'm here to talk to you and challenge you. Education matters, and what you do today, and what you don't do can change your future. . .

Read more at: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Horrors, President Obama Laughs. . .

I don't get it. Why is this some sort of big news? Apparently, it all hangs on the phrase "punch drunk." Or something. . .

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

New Yorker Cartoon Response #2

This is the second cartoon I found in response to the New Yorker cartoon that is causing so much controversy. I think it's great, but it has two of the required elements of satire: context and an element of truth. The New Yorker piece lacked both, in my opinion.



Source: AmericaBlog

Previously: New Yorker Cartoon Response #1

New Yorker Cartoon Response #1

By now, most everybody has seen or heard of the New Yorker cartoon, depicting Barack and Michelle Obama in a very unflattering light. There are as many opinions about it as there are people who've seen it, of course. My opinion was similar to Air America Radio host, Thom Hartmann's on today's program.

The cartoon is allegedly intended as satire. As Hartmann said today, satire requires context and truth to be satire. Context could have been provided by having a Sean Hannity asleep in bed with the cartoon appearing as a dream (nightmare) he's having. Truth could only have been provided by drawing an entirely different cartoon.

I've found a couple of "response" cartoons on the web (I'm sure there are by now dozens), the first on Hartmann's own web site:


Source: ThomHartmann.com

Air America's Randi Rhodes QUITS!

I'm at work, so I only have a moment to put something up. . .one of my favorite Air America Radio hosts, Randi Rhodes quit today. I'm bummed. I don't have time to write up my response, but here's link for you:

Randi Rhodes GONE from Air America