party_crowdIf there’s one day that says, “I’m after Thursday, just before Saturday, start with an ‘F’ and that most people thank God for, it would have to be Fried Ice Cream Day. But coming in a close second would have to be Friday.

It’s Friday on The Planet and that means everyone’s invited to join us here tonight for an evening of fun, frivolity and many other entertaining activities that begin with the letter “F”! Can you think of any?

Why do we have “fun” on Friday nights here at The Planet? Well…after a long week of serious thought and discussion on urgent and meaningful issues, it’s a nice way to relax, recharge ourselves and have a chance just to chill with and get to know our fellow members who make up the community here. Still, we always have new posts on issues on Friday night and continue some of the meaningful conversations on existing threads. We just do it drunk.

So, tonight we’ll have our music video thread, a trivia game thread and for the first time ever on The Planet…and possibly on any blog…Debate Night Live! Yep, we’re hosting a live, real time debate here tonight between two of our members, KarateKid and KQuark on the topic, ” Did Democrats Compromise Too Much on the Health Care Bill?”.

You’ll be the audience and judges of the debate. After the debate there will be a short period for everyone to join in on a real-time live discussion on the debate and issue. After the event is over, we’ll head over to a post about the debate where the discussion can continue and you can vote  on which side of the debate you saw as the winner. There’ll be Vienna Sausages and Tab too!

Debate Night Live starts at 7 pm PST on the page of the same name. You’ll find the link to it at the top of every page though just for your convenience, here’s a link: http://planetpov.com/debate-night-live/.

A reminder, at this point the real time system we’re using allows all Authors to enter comments, we ask that you don’t interrupt the debate with any comments but invite you and all other members to join in on the live conversation after the debate is over.

Should be a fun, exciting and groundbreaking night here at The Planet tonight. Hope to see you here!

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javaz
Member

In my opinion, which means nothing in the realm of things.
It just makes me cry when progressives or liberals don’t take the side of the oppressed, whether it means gay people, black people, or brown people, or Hispanics or women.
Or Muslims, Christian or Jews.

Should we give up health care for all, because it sets woman’s rights back 30 years?

YES, we should, but that’s just my opinion.

We should stand strong, and be proud of who we are, and remember how far we’ve come, and we are not going back.
To go back on this issue, we’d lose maternity leave.

We’d lose our rights as women for daycare, meaning when we’re at work and the daycare calls and tells us our child is sick, that we will not be able to leave work and take our child home.

Men would hold us back from raises, or compensation, or promotion, or even a job and it’d be because we as women can bear children.

Many women fought for the rights of women in the workplace, and not all of us wanted children, yet we were held back because of those who did.

And women who worked, how many times were we laid off because the men thought we had husbands, and they chose to keep the men with families on the job instead of us?
Disregarding that many of us were single or divorced women with children?

Never give in, and never back down, because if we lose this fight, it’s only the beginning of losing more of our rights and our fight for equality.

If we lose the right of our choice over our wombs, and our bodies, we are no better than Saudi women who must cover their faces.

We are Americans, and we are American women, and we have rights.

Kalima
Admin

The debate has started. To follow it, click on to the Debate Night Live at the top of the page but don’t add comments until the debate is over. Thanks

javaz
Member

I’m screaming at my computer, upsetting my dog and husband, who finds this thing silly.
The husband finds it silly, whereby the dog runs away to the tub in our bathroom.
I cannot wait until it’s done so that I can voice MY opinion on behalf of women everywhere,
Yeah,
I’m a feminist or as Rush calls, A FEMINAZI wearing boots and kicking testicles.

bito
Member

ouch!

johnie2xs
Member
johnie2xs

I’m going to go monitor the debate, but I had to post this. It is way too good not to share. An Onion Production.

Kalima
Admin

I just popped over to the debate, is someone missing in action?

AuntieChrist
Member

Well… that was an interesting debate.

The interruption 17 minutes into it could have been avoided, but it was what it was as it is as it is and it shall be as it shall be.

Auntie Christ

javaz
Member

What?
I got up to pee and grab a beer, and are you telling me I missed it?
Seriously?

AuntieChrist
Member

That was for the benefit of the tinfoil hat wearing followers of the corporatist site who believe that Democrats have time machines in which we create all of the messes throughout the ages, for those who believe that whenever a Republican is in office, it’s a perfect society… but we have the ability to go back and mess it up.

javaz
Member

My money is on Karate Kid.

Come on, fight for the rights of your daughters!

Don’t back down.

Fight for the rights of women in these United States of America!

Bring it on!

Kalima
Admin

I’ll go with KQ because I know of his feelings and commitment to this Healthcare Reform bill, he’s been writing informative articles for months, and I admire his respect for women and their issues.

Corgi Lover
Guest

@Javaz; Question: Your profile at HP (hiss) says you are a retired aerospace engineer. I’m curious what kind.

javaz
Member

Mechanical.

Was a designer and ran Computer Vision, Cadam and CATIA.

Used to make models on the computer and then send them off to Phoenix by the airport for stereo-lithography.

Worked on APUs, and did DOD for a time on a submarine contract for the government, and that was canceled, but my biggest feat was the 777 by Boeing way back when.

You?

Was also an engineer for automotive and worked on exhaust systems and radiator cooling systems.

Corgi Lover
Guest

@javaz: The last few years I had been doing avionics systems work. Requirements using Doors and Simulink. Have worked creating systems processes for avionics organizations. Earlier designed aircraft electrical systems and did avionics integration engineering. Also a fair share of test and writing.

Last “permanent” job was on Bell Road, and in Albuquerque for “Brand H”. Have done significant amounts of contracting. Industry is real cold right now, maybe forever.

javaz
Member

My husband knows exactly what you are talking about.
Me?
Not so much
But I just read him your response and he says that he worked with DOORS and Simulink, and Honeywell’s avionics group for controls of jet engines, and APUs.

We should meet!
We could connect you with other engineers and maybe we could help you find work!

My husband was a boss several times, as the company went through so many RIFs.

Corgi Lover
Guest

Javaz: That would be nice. Thank you for the offer. We’ll talk about it later.

KQµårk 死神
Member

OK I may have missed something because of the time difference. What time and where is the debate EST?

AuntieChrist
Member

depending on whether or not you can time travel, it may or may not have already happened.

Want to know the result?

Kalima
Admin

10 PM KQ.

deygirl
Member

7 PST is 10 EST. I think….

KevenSeven
Member

You think correctly.

escribacat
Member

Aren’t you one of the debaters?

Pepe Lepew
Member

Points deducted for not remembering the time…

javaz
Member

Please do not get angry with me, but is this debate involving 2 men and asking about the Democrats giving in too much on the health care bill?

I am so trying to stay up for this, and am drinking caffeinated Pepsi, but let me just ask, if I may.
The Stupak Amendment must be part of this debate, or I hope that it is, and I know that Karate Kid has 2 daughters and cares a great deal about it.

But, shouldn’t a woman be involved in this debate?

You know, as a woman, I get real tired of men talking about my rights.

I would NOT want to participate in any debate, because I dislike confrontation and am not intelligent enough nor do I have the time to prepare to debate such an important issue, but as a woman, I’ve got to ask why it was 2 men being asked to debate this health bill, when the very thing that the Democrats caved in on is woman’s autonomy?

I apologize if that question upsets anyone.
I was just wondering.

deygirl
Member

I hope we can get a rethug here who will tell us how to feel about this.

On the lighter side, I have a friend who was put on testosterone-suppressing drugs when he had prostate cancer. He said the hot flashes were a bitch,and the concept of dying was alarming, but what scared the shit out of him was when women started making sense to him, and men started to sound like alien beings.

Corgi Lover
Guest

OK… 40 degrees tonight and rain tomorrow. I hope you have your snuggie ready.

deygirl
Member

I HAVE A DAY OFF! I get to leave my sexy rain gear on the hook and wear girl clothes!!!!!

Corgi Lover
Guest

Enjoy yourself, deygirl. Stay out of trouble, too! Are you visiting the birthday boy?

deygirl
Member

He lives in Cali, so unfortunately no. Gonna go watch some friends perform Gypsy Jazz at a fancy-pants bar in Lincoln City with my boss/friend. OMG, I need to find out what she’s wearing….

javaz
Member

Hey Dey!

(I love greeting you because it rhymes!)

Thank you.
I guess that I am taking this thing way too seriously.

Sorry about your friend’s health issues.
Known quite a few men who had prostate cancer, and it’s really not that big of a deal anymore, since the success rates are much improved.
As are breast cancer, but it all comes down to catching that early.

Have a friend dying from breast cancer that was caught too late, and this woman is such an inspiration because she’s been through hell, and still in hell, but her cancer is similar to Elizabeth Edwards, except she doesn’t have her health plan.
Yet this woman is a fighter, and you would not believe the operations that she’s had, both breasts removed, and ovaries removed, to a total hysterectomy and now it’s in her bones, and yet she still thinks she can survive through it all and go back to work.
It’s heartbreaking.
She weighs under 100 pounds now, yet she still applies her makeup every morning.
Her strength and her fighting spirit, I just cannot describe it.

deygirl
Member

They do have the humiliating choice to make between impotence and incontinence. After agonizing over it for a week, he realized that he knew what he valued most–NOT dying of cancer. He told his doctor that that was what he wanted spared–his life.

javaz
Member

Yes, believe me, we have very close male friends that have gone through this, and they give them a pump thing to get off and prescribe Viagra.

I’m laughing right now, because one of our friends, and he’s 73 years old, and he prefers the pump over his wife!
LMAO
Men.
Can’t live with them, but yes we can, live without them.

Anyone have any extra C-batteries for my friend?

🙂

bito
Member

Having lost both my parents to cancer (and being the caregiver) and now having cancer myself– It is an enlightening experience when a docktor says “you have stage IV cancer and here are your choices” Actually they always seem to say “we “have these choices. What the HELL do you mean “WE”? 🙂

Mogamboguru
Member

OMG…

I so feel for you, bitohistory – although I am sure not able to feel, what you must feel in this situation.

I wish you the very, very best of all possible outcomes.

escribacat
Member

I feel for you, bit. Sending good thoughts your way.

deygirl
Member

X 2.

Add in a little deygirl “you’re not the boss of me” attitude.

{{{{{healing}}}}}

bito
Member

Oh, I’m happy as a clam! I am in remission (1 1/2 months) and take the old “day at a time. Hopefully, no more treatments for 3+ years. Iam happy to be able to have a nice day here. I deeply Thank everyone for their thoughts.

That’s an old blues song: Happy as a clam
tickled pink, I am
Haven’t been so happy in so many long years…..

bit

bito
Member

I am not upset with you, in fact I agree with that aspect. I am tired of a bunch of old white male farts and blue hair repug women saying anything about women’s
rights! Before “Roe” the rich paid for their sterile, hospital abortions and most women went to back alleys/rooms and took a chance on death, leaving their other children orphans. That is what many of the “righteous” want to return to.
I am an “old, white, male, fart. and this pisses me off!!

javaz
Member

I do not think that the men debating tonight are old men, but thanks for the laugh in imagining their reactions to that!

I took this too seriously, and apologize.

It’s the freaking net, for goodness sakes!
And except for my Pepsi with caffeine, I will be switching to beer in a bit!

AuntieChrist
Member

Stupak, with his affiliations with C street, is the kind of hypocrite who makes Republicans seem honest. …And THAT’s NO small feat!

I despise the guy.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/4102100268_0f7e91b50a_o.jpg

javaz
Member

YAE!
AuntieChrist is here!
Time to open a beer!

Glad to see you
Here for a first
LIVE
Debate on the Internets.

🙂

AuntieChrist
Member

Thanx javaz,

I’m curious about your moniker.

javaz
Member

The first three letters are initials from my name, and yeah, I kept my maiden name when I married, and the last letters are AZ for Arizona!

My first name is Joan and middle name Ann, and my mom didn’t name me Joanne because she did not want people calling me Jo.

javaz
Member

let me add, if I may, had I taken my husband’s last name, it would have been JARaz.

Who wants to be a jar?

🙂

Opened a beer and am ready now for the debate!

AuntieChrist
Member

That’s a good name. I thought that you programmed in java… goodness does my mind take the road less traveled.

Arizona? Eesh. Looks nice for photography, but I couldn’t imagine living there (no offense intended.)

I love the Pacific Northwest.

Call me biased. 😉

AuntieChrist
Member

javaz, I was replying to your first post, I like your current moniker, but the name I was saying that’s “good” is the name “Joanne” which is my mother’s name.

She’s great, and she has the patience of a saint.

bito
Member

I was speaking of the “ones in congress. not of our friends here.
Switching to beer? What an awake drunk? 😀

javaz
Member

I think Congress is looking into that.
You know, them caffeinated alcohol drinks!

Oh noes!

They got me.

KQµårk 死神
Member

I’m kind of ready for the debate. But I can’t believe it’s going to happen at the end of the Thrashers game, shite!

nicole473
Member

Speaking of…..what time does the debate begin (EST), KQ?

EDIT: oops…..never mind, just read the post.

nellie
Member

Looking forward to it!

KQµårk 死神
Member

I’m nervous as a schoolgirl.

Kalima
Admin

Gosh, whatever you do don’t blush. 🙂

Kalima
Admin

Well as promised to some of you yesterday a few quick details on your President’s first trip to Asia and his first visit to Japan since he took office. It will be brief for now until I can suss out how Hatoyama responds in the days to come.

From the minute that Air Force One landed in Haneda airport and a smiling, waving President Obama exited the plane, his greetings on the tarmac by various members of the government and the U.S. Embassy, his motorcade was filmed on it’s way to Tokyo to his first meeting with the Japanese PM Hatoyama. Many people lined the streets to wave as he passed, reporters clambered for photos or video footage and showed a smiling, waving Pres. Obama.

In the evening there was a short Press Conference with the President being asked the most questions on troop relocation in Okinawa, the nuclear threat of N.Korea and Afghanistan.
Before he answered, he remarked how interesting it was that Japanese journalists used the same strategy as U.S. journalists did when asking questions, I’m not sure how many there understood his playful dig. He answered all the questions with his usual thoughtfulness and the last question came from an American woman who’s voice shook as she spoke, asking about Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, to which he replied that in a few hours Japan time, U.S. Attorney Gen. Eric Holder would be announcing plans to bring him to the U.S. for trial.

PM Hatoyama got off with just one question from this last American female reporter which sounded a little aggressive when asked and was about why Japan has stopped the ships from supplying oil. Hatoyama said that they had decided to help Afghanistan by increasing the aid and my husband and I remarked that it was all well and good but in the long run meant nothing in a country where the government is unstable.

Summing up from what I saw and heard today, I am happy to report that your President is popular here. I can’t remember the last time people lined the streets to welcome a foreign head of state here. The last time would have been a visit by Princess Diana and Prince Charles many years ago and that was because Diana was very popular here.

A little side note.

During last year’s elections, the people of a small coastal village, known as Obama, cheered for Sen. Obama and had a huge screen tv where almost the whole village gathered to watch events unfold in the U.S. Waiting at his hotel, The Okura opposite the U.S. Embassy, were 4 men from the village of Obama wanting to see the President to give him presents of t-shirts and other goods with his drawings on the front. They waited in the lobby eagerly staring at the front door but were a little disappointed when the President’s car didn’t stop.

President Obama leaves today for Singapore to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. He will visit China and S. Korea later.

KQµårk 死神
Member

Thanks so much for the update Kalima. It sounds like the president may not want to leave Japan.

Kalima
Admin

He looked a little tired, maybe jet lag and I didn’t realize just how grey his hair has become around his temples.

KQµårk 死神
Member

I’d be gray too if I had to deal with Rushpublicans and conservadems.

Kalima you’ve got to go over to my Motown link and click on the Teena Maria link. I know you will remember this song.

Kalima
Admin

So apart from 9/11 happening on his watch, why did Bush turn white over the years?

Afghanistan was a done deal, Iraq was on the menu no matter who might be against it or not join forces, so what else, which brand of Pretzels to buy?

Thanks KQ, i pop over to the Motown thread as soon as I can, I have a busy morning ahead. Cheers!

escribacat
Member

Thanks for the update. I saw him briefly on TV. He sounds like he has a head cold again.

nellie
Member

He literally has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I think he’ll feel a lot better when our soldiers are out of harm’s way.

nellie
Member

I loved the story about the Obama village cheering for Barack. A little gold dust sprinkled down on the U.S. when we elected that man.

escribacat
Member

LOL Well put!!

Kalima
Admin

It cheered me too when they were regularily featured on national tv here and the genuine excitement when he won was overwhelming.

The President said that he very much wanted to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki but couldn’t this trip because of very tight scheduling but he would visit soon because it was something that he personally had wanted to do for a long time. There was huge applause from the Japanese gathered at the press conference.

nellie
Member

He has real respect for all peoples and their experiences. And he has the depth to understand the meaning of events.

And the heart to care about doing the right thing.

Kalima
Admin

That is why I joined Huff, to support and cheer for him, despite the vulgar trolls.

nellie
Member

They have become unbearably vulgar and spiteful. I took on a new sock so I could sign off HP as nellie for good. I picked up a couple of stalkers, and that’s just dumb. Those people need to find something more constructive to do w their time.

Kalima
Admin

Oh nellie, I’m so glad that I got out of there for good in April. We really don’t need the frustration, especially you, they are no match for your insight and compassionate reasoning, it is wasted there.

nicole473
Member

Me too. The only reason I joined.

bito
Member

Kalima,I feel I am the last on this thread but I do want to thank you, thank you, very much. Taks

Kalima
Admin

I always try hard to keep my promises and you are welcome bitohistory. Anytime!

javaz
Member

Good morning, Kalima!

Thank you so much for this update.

I cannot believe the racism that exists still in our country and it breaks my heart to think about our president having to tolerate the bigots and their protest signs depicting him with a white face and Hitler mustache, or as the Joker, or as an African bushman.

George Bush Jr. was protected and in a bubble and never saw any protesters, nor was he aware of how much the world hated him.

President Obama is aware because he chooses to be and chooses not to be protected from it all, and it just hurts to realize the level of racism and bigotry that still exists in the 21st century.
It shames me, but it is also enlightening.

I love President Obama because he truly is a great man and he inspires how to fight against all odds.

Kalima
Admin

Good evening javaz, my pleasure.

These bigots and racists will leave this earth choking on their own bile, it just makes me furious that many call themselves Christians, they are not, I know because I am one. As I said before here, Jesus was a Jew and he was also brown skinned, so much for their claims of following his teachings.

Hypocrites to their very core.

javaz
Member

Exactly.

And as a Christian, even though I no longer participate in “organized religion”, like you, I try to live my life as Christ wanted us all to live.

They are hypocrites, and they – the Republicans and teabaggers – preach about being so very Christian and better than the rest of us, and, well, they do not own Christ or God, because neither would approve of the way they treat women, gays, and people of color.

Khirad
Member

Ha! Yes, I remember that about Obama, Japan!

Thanks for the update!

Nice to see this from Japan. There are still racism issues there, I believe. Nevertheless, there are still racism issues HERE, as well!

Kalima
Admin

The “racism” issues you mention are only with the “Old Guard” who remember WW11 and not with generations born after the war or anyone in their 50’s, 40’s, 30’s or 20’s.

Khirad
Member

I remember it as an issue among Asian-Americans, including Japanese, during the Democratic primaries. And yes, the younger voters didn’t display the same wariness.

Kalima
Admin

I think that this issue leans more towards the rewriting of history books leaving out much of what happened in the past by the too long in power LDP, the reluctance on their part to officially apologize to the countries concerned, the lack of compassion for the Korean “comfort women” used as whores by the military, and the continued fingerprinting of foreign nationals, of which I was one, for our Alien Registration cards.

Khirad
Member

Understood. More xenophobia and chauvinism than conventional racism.

Didn’t know about the fingerprinting.

Wasn’t there a sign somewhere (Yushukan?) that was humorously revisionist (if you’re able to find humor in such things)? I remember seeing a picture of it (which was printed in English) and scratching my head, regarding what they said about the US starting the war or something.

Kalima
Admin

Yes I agree, more xenophobic in nature than actual racism of the sort directed at your President on an almost daily basis.

Somewhere I have a listing of all the odd signs written in English, it was a hoot. I will try to locate them to share them here one day soon.

javaz
Member

“Limbaugh Calls Palin Memoir “One of Most Substantive Policy Books I’ve Read”

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/143940/limbaugh_calls_palin_memoir_%22one_of_most_substantive_policy_books_i%27ve_read%22/#more

I just Pepe Lepewed myself! 🙂

BigDogMom
Member
BigDogMom

Oh My God! You got to be kidding…can’t wait for the Oprah interview, me thinks the Big O is not impressed with Miss Sarah as Rush et al are.

javaz
Member

I’ll skip that interview or any other interview with Sister Sarah.
That woman gets on my nerves and I still cannot believe that McCain agreed to have her as a running mate.
It made a mockery of our election process and my husband truly believes that McCain was set up to lose, so that Mittins will have a chance in 2012.
The GOP are desperately trying to bring Obama down as they did Carter, and the Repukes knew that once GWB left office, the insurmountable challenges Cheney and Bush left behind.
The entire thing just makes me sick.

bito
Member
escribacat
Member

You have GOT to be kidding!!! Substantive? I suppose a box of soda crackers could be considered substantive, if you haven’t eaten in a week.

Khirad
Member

Ha!

kesmarn
Admin

Well, I jinxed myself. The hospital just called me in to work…#$%@&@#!
I know, I know, I should be grateful…but I hate leaving a party when it’s just getting under way. Bye, all!

javaz
Member

Be safe and try to hurry back!

BigDogMom
Member
BigDogMom

Keep safe…

KQµårk 死神
Member

Good luck you are doing a wonderful thing.

nicole473
Member

Have a nice evening, Kesmarn!

Mogamboguru
Member

Bye, Kesmarn. See you later!

javaz
Member

Drinking on a Friday night?!?

Why, I’ve never heard of such a thing! 😉

So, do we have a game for this?

Like every time Stupak is mentioned – take a drink?
Or Boehner or Boner, or Bonehead, or whatever his name is, or Kyl or McCain or teabagger?

And if every single one of them is mentioned in one sentence, well, call the paramedics for me!
🙂

BigDogMom
Member
BigDogMom

The list someone had yesterday for the viral drinking game
were:

Barry
Teleprompter
Mustard
Olympics
dithering

There were some others, but I haven’t been over there today to see the usual “key” fighting words…

bito
Member

Kyl& McCain is when you throw-up. Ya know “go to the John” ;-0

javaz
Member

LOL!
Now that was funny!

bito
Member
escribacat
Member

Do we get to shout “I object!” and stuff?

BTW, I’ve long wondered if I’m the only sober person on some of these late night threads.

Pepe Lepew
Member

Try “Au contraire!”
My grandfather did that all the time. It’s really annoying.

kesmarn
Admin

LOL!

Pepe Lepew
Member

Old, stubborn Quebecois. Nothing more exasperating…

javaz
Member

My great grandfather was a Quebecois!
If I understand the meaning correctly, means he came over from France?
Ever been to Montreal, Pepe?

Pepe Lepew
Member

No, that’s just a French-speaking native of Quebec. And truthfully, even though he called himself a Quebecois, he was actually born in Brandon, Manitoba. But my *great* grandfather Pepe was born in Quebec. My dad’s family has been in Canada since the early 1800s. My mom’s family has been in Canada for, oh, 50,000 or so years.

javaz
Member

If you don’t speak French, and that even applies to Parisians, Montreal is not a good place to live or visit for any amount of time.
We have friends that are in Paris, and they even dislike Montreal.
You know they say the French in France hate Americans, well, that is not true at all, but the French in Montreal?
Merde.
Sacre bleu!

Khirad
Member

Do they still have language police, or is that an urban legend, — or at least, blown out of proportion.

Pepe Lepew
Member

I don’t know about “language police” per se, but,yes, you can be fined if you own a business and have signage in your business in English.
I find that very Fascist … and so do a lot of English-speaking people … which is why Quebec used to be about 30 percent English-speaking and now it’s about 10 percent. A real shame, IMO.

Khirad
Member

Mon fr

BigDogMom
Member
BigDogMom

No, your not alone, I don’t drink either…

kesmarn
Admin

If I get called in to work and show up drunk, that unemployment rate will inch up just a leetle bit higher, so I’m dry tonight.