Open Thread

Saturday Sports Open Thread

Other than LSU-Alabama and OSU-Penn State I don't see any really compelling matchups. Anyone disagree?

NBA and NHL now in full-swing. Anything catching anyone's eye?

Anything else, or can I go get some breakfast?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: House ready to debate ObamaCare.

Will Pelosi and Company have the votes to jam down our throats something the American people seem strongly against?

Ft. Hood Shooting Open Thread

Follow this breaking story here on this thread. Post updates as you find them so others can keep tabs. I've posted a Twitter updater below to make it easier to follow here at NB:

Sunday NFL Open Thread

What are today's big games and big upsets?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Is the stock market rally over?

Friday was a bad day for stocks with all major indices losing several percentage points. Is this the beginning of a serious sell-off that could even test the March lows or just a much-needed correction after an historic move up?

From a more technical standpoint, is the reflation trade of shorting the dollar and buying commodities, in particular oil and gold, about to start a huge unwinding that will bring stocks with it? Has this entire runup in stocks and commodities way over-discounted any potential economic recovery given exploding budget deficits, tighter regulations, and the certainty of higher taxes in the future?

In sum, was this entire rally over-done, and reality is about to set in, or is it more likely that things at this time last year were not nearly as bad as what was advertised, and stocks now are better reflecting actual economic activity than they have in many months?

Saturday Sports Open Thread

You think when the college football schedule was set up months ago they had any idea both Texas vs. OSU AND USC vs. Oregon would be such big games at the same hour? Anything else you're watching in this schedule?

Maybe more important, who is praying the Phillies beat the Yanks this series?

Anything else on your sports mind today?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: The White House visitors list.

Let's dig through this baby and find some of the gems. Clearly, William Ayers HAS to jump out at you...but don't say Obama's been palling around with him!

Open Thread

For general discussion about the news, political and otherwise...

Open Thread

Discuss the news of the day and whatever else you like...

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: 7-hour lines for swine flu vaccines are not the best advertisements for Government-run health care.

President Obama's late-night declaration of a nationwide public health emergency last night shouldn't be allowed to obscure the most important lesson of the developing swine flu crisis - The same government that only weeks ago promised abundant supplies of swine flu vaccine by mid-October will be running your health care system under Obamacare.

Are these comparisons and conclusions fair?

Sunday NFL Open Thread

What are today's must-see games, and what are the big upsets?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Obama to skip global warming meeting in Copenhagen?

President Obama will almost certainly not travel to the Copenhagen climate change summit in December and may instead use his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech to set out US environmental goals, The Times has learnt. With healthcare reform clogging his domestic agenda and no prospect of a comprehensive climate treaty in Copenhagen, Mr Obama may disappoint campaigners and foreign leaders, including Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband, who have urged him to attend to boost the hopes of a breakthrough...The White House confirmed that the President would be in Oslo to accept the prize, but a source close to the Administration said it was “hard to see the benefit” of his going to Copenhagen if there was no comprehensive deal for him to close or sign.

Does this mean a new global warming deal at Copenhagen is clearly dead? If so, how does this impact pending cap and tax legislation?

Saturday Sports Open Thread

I don't find any must-see games today in College FB. Anyone see it differently?

Anything else grabbing sports enthusiasts today other than Yanks-Halos?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: It's Obama's rubble now!

President Obama, in office a month longer than Bush was when 9/11 hit, now owns his presidency. Does he know it? He too stands on rubble, figuratively speaking—a collapsed economy, high and growing unemployment, two wars. Everyone knows what he's standing on. You can almost see the smoke rising around him. He's got a bullhorn in his hand every day. It's his now. He gets the credit and the blame. How do we know this? The American people are telling him. You can see it in the polls. That's what his falling poll numbers are about. "It's been almost a year, you own this. Fix it."

Read Peggy Noonan's entire piece and offer thoughts.

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Palin endorses NY-23 Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.

The people of the 23rd Congressional District of New York are ready to shake things up, and Doug Hoffman is coming on strong as Election Day approaches! He needs our help now...

The federal government borrows, spends, and prints too much money, while our national debt hits a record high. Government is growing while the private sector is shrinking, and unemployment is on the rise. Doug Hoffman is committed to ending the reckless spending in Washington, D.C. and the massive increase in the size and scope of the federal government. He is also fully committed to supporting our men and women in uniform as they seek to honorably complete their missions overseas.

Will Palin turn the tide in Upstate New York?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Gov. Pawlenty at WCPAC on how the GOP can market its message.

 

 Republicans need a candidate who can dispell the 'Democrat: friend of the worker' myth.

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Let's REALLY destroy one of the few industries in our nation that has continued to add jobs during this recession!!!

Top Senate Democrats intend to try to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws, according to congressional officials, the latest evidence of a deepening struggle over President Barack Obama's effort to overhaul the health care industry. If enacted, the switch would mean greater federal regulation for an industry that recently has stepped up its criticism of portions of a health care bill moving toward the Senate floor.

What is wrong with these people? Do they want to destroy EVERY industry in America?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: the British media know the cost of health care rationing. From the London Times:

Hazel Fenton, from East Sussex, is alive nine months after medics ruled she had only days to live, withdrew her antibiotics, and denied her artificial feeding. The former school matron had been placed on a controversial care plan intended to ease the last days of dying patients.

Doctors say Fenton is an example of patients who have been condemned to death on the Liverpool care pathway plan. They argue that while it is suitable for patients who do have only days to live, it is being used more widely in the NHS, denying treatment to elderly patients who are not dying.

Will the American press pick up on the trend and report on the numerous such instances of the NHS 'pulling the plug on granny'?

Open Thread

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: how should the GOP handle serial tax-evader Charles Rangel?

Convinced that Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) is on the ropes because of a tangle of ethical issues, House GOP leaders are debating whether to aggressively press for his removal as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee or try to drag out the controversy as long as possible for maximum political advantage.

Should Boehner move in for the kill, or drag out the controversy?

Sunday NFL Open Thread

Last week's best game ended up being the Jets-Dolphins with likely the biggest surprise being how the Falcons absolutely demolished the Niners. What will this week's best games be, and what's the upset of the week?