RIP Carrie Fisher and George Michael and Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 03:37:01 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Carrie Fisher has died. George Michael died on Christmas day in London. Both deaths are heart-related.

News that makes you want to take another shower: The UnPresident Elect has named his family's lawyer of 20 years to the position of "special representative for international negotiations." He is expected to focus on Israel and Palestine.

As the president’s special representative, Mr. Greenblatt is likely to focus on peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, renegotiating trade agreements and the relationship between the United States and Cuba, among other international issues.

His experience for the position:

“He has a history of negotiating substantial, complex transactions on my behalf, as well as the expertise to bring parties together and build consensus on difficult and sensitive topics,” Mr. Trump said.

[More...]

He represents Papa Bear and his three children, Donald, Ivanka and Eric. Now he can bring us world peace. Is he just a figurehead for Jared Kushner, who the UnPresident Elect previously said was qualified to restart peace negotiations in the Middle East?

The UnPresident Elect has so many friends he's now creating new positions for them. Today he named a former Bush official to a new position called "assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism" which is a position he says will have equal power to that of his hugely unpopular nominee Michael Flynn who he wants for national security adviser. What's the difference between their roles? According to the UnPresident Elect's messaging team, the homeland guy will focus on "domestic and transnational security" while Flynn will focus on "international security".

How is transnational different from international in the context of security matters?

Check out famed Catalan artist Victor Enrich's "Phallus 2020", his vision of what the White House will look like in 2020.

Enrich’s artistic reaction was taken out of Trump’s victory as ‘a direct punch in the face’.
He explains, “I tried to reflect on a certain dystopia in which Trump, without encountering any opposition, decides to transform the White House into a kitschy skyscraper made of 13 copies of the main building, obviously crowned with the golden logo of his family name.

“Washington D.C. is one of the few American cities that adheres to strict urban norms regarding construction. One of these norms is that no single building can be taller than the Capitol. Of course, Trump doesn’t respect this rule. Instead, he grabs it by the p*ssy.”

Once again, I'm taking a break from the news, since just seeing the word Trump ruins my mood for hours. I'm still following ISIS and El Chapo and related matters, but that's about it until after the new Year.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

< Christmas Eve Open Thread | Wednesday Night TV Thread >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

RIP Carrie Fisher and George Michael and Open Thread | 49 comments (49 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

RIP, Carrie Fisher. (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 06:34:24 PM EST

"Remember the white dress I wore all through that film ["Star Wars"]? George [Lucas] came up to me that first day of filming, took one look at the dress and said: 'You can't wear a bra under that dress.'

"'Okay, I'll bite,' I said. 'Why?' And he said: 'Because ... there's no underwear in space.'

"He said it with such conviction. Like he had been to space and looked around and didn't see any bras or panties anywhere.

"He explained. 'You go into space and become weightless. Then your body expands but your bra doesn't, so you get strangled by your own underwear.'

"I think that this would make for a fantastic obituary. I tell my younger friends that no matter how I go, I want it reported that I drowned in moonlight, strangled by my own bra."
- Carrie Fisher, Wishful Drinking (2008, Simon & Schuster)

My fondest aloha to one of the wittiest and most self-deprecating authors whom I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Even in passing, Ms. Fisher can still bring a smile to my face and make me spew coffee through my nose.

;-D

She's been in four of my favortie films (none / 0) (#10)
by McBain on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 10:05:20 PM EST

Star Wars
The Empire Strikes Back
Hannah and Her Sisters
The Blues Brothers

And some fun ones....
Return of the Jedi
Force Awakens
Austin Powers
Amazon Women on the Moon


Don't forget "When Harry Met Sally." (none / 0) (#15)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 04:36:17 AM EST

Carrie Fisher delivered a first-rate supporting performance in Rob Reiner's romantic comedy as Sally's cynical and wisecracking best friend Marie, who could always be counted on for good advice and a snappy one-liner.


: I did forget about that one (none / 0) (#21)
by McBain on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 11:11:37 AM EST

and a few other good ones as well.

Princess Leia (none / 0) (#49)
by Lora on Fri Dec 30, 2016 at 11:12:58 PM EST

I was in college when "Star Wars" was released and was amazed by what fun it was for a movie that I hadn't expected to like -- not my type, so I thought at the time. I've changed. It's definitely my type now.

Watching it again for the umpteenth time, I really enjoyed the interplay between Princess Leia and Han Solo, hokey now, but not such a stretch back in the day, and loved that she could kick butt and not get that pretty white gown dirty!

Quite an accomplishment back then, to have a movie with a female lead who stayed powerful throughout without having her character turn into a b!tch. Probably the only way they could get away with it was to put her in that dress, but never mind, it all worked out.


UPDATE: RIP, Debbie Reynolds (1932-2016). (none / 0) (#38)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 08:28:46 PM EST

Carrie Fisher's mother, a singer-actress in her own right from Hollywood's Golden Age, suffered an apparent stroke this afternoon and died at age 84, one day after her daughter's death.

Only yesterday, Ms. Reynolds tweeted her thanks to fans for their outpouring of condolences for her daughter:

"Thank you to everyone who has embraced the gifts and talents of my beloved and amazing daughter. I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers that are now guiding her to her next stop. Love Carries Mother."

And now, she will be joining her daughter on that journey.


Score a small victory for labor... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by kdog on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 11:02:15 AM EST

over management...the union for The Rockettes fought for and won an opt out for any performers who wish to boycott the inauguration. Notoriously sh*tty owner Lil' Jimmy Dolan was trying to force the full-time Rockettes to make the trip to DC to feed the electoral college fluke's ego...but The American Guild of Variety Artists saved the day and earned their dues in spades.

Sorry Donnie Boy...you'll have to settle for The Strutters of Texas State U!

At this rate it'll be like a The Gong Show reunion at the inauguration, with KGB-man Trump filling CIA-man Chuck Barris' shoes.

How exactly did the AGVA "save the day"? (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:41:51 PM EST

In fact, kdog, it was the employer, Madison Square Garden Co., which first stated publicly on Dec. 23 that no Rockette would be compelled to perform against her will at Trump's inaugural. That statement came after the union had initially and specifically informed its members that they were contractually obligated to perform, whether they liked it or not.

I first wrote about this five days ago in another thread. As far as I can see here, the only thing the AGVA did in this instance was to agree to a face-saving amendment in the Rockettes' contract with MSG Co., which would conform with that employer's prior public statement allowing individual dancers to opt out of the inauguration.

Now, it really doesn't surprise me that AGVA management would seek to re-characterize retroactively their initial email message to the Rockettes, in which they had clearly and unequivocally dismissed their members' stated concerns as "invalid." There is no indication anywhere in that email that union management was taking such concerns seriously:

"We have received an email from a Rockette expressing concern about getting 'involved in a dangerous political climate' but I must remind you that you are all employees, and as a company, Mr. Dolan obviously wants the Rockettes to be represented at our country's Presidential inauguration, as they were in 2001 & 2005. Any talk of boycotting this event is invalid, I'm afraid.

"We have been made aware of what is going on Facebook and other social media, however, this does not change anything unless Radio City has a change of heart. The ranting of the public is just that, ranting. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but this does not change your employment status for those who are full time. [...] Everyone is entitled to her own political beliefs, but there is no room for this in the workplace." (Emphasis is mine.)

Given that statement to its own members, it does disappoint me that the AGVA would now claim credit for what was actually an employer-instigated initiative to head off a potential and very obvious public relations disaster, were a fair number of Rockettes to summarily boycott Trump's inaugural, with or without employer permission and union support.

The true heroes here, kdog, are those Rockettes who stood resolutely upon their principles and put their own jobs on the line. Far from standing up for its own members in this instance, AGVA management had failed to have their backs. And finally, kudos to the MSG Co. for doing the right thing by its employees, and leading the union out of the weeds.

Aloha.


Yes, good for the (none / 0) (#23)
by KeysDan on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 12:05:49 PM EST

union. If, the Rockettes balk, maybe Trump can prevail upon Fiorina to bring some of those fetuses she saw kicking. A performance sure to thrill many a Trump supporter and Planned Parenthood enemy.

In any event, it would not be surprising if Trump, secretly, hopes that no celebrity shows up throwing shade on his limelight.


: Oh man that's gold! (none / 0) (#24)
by kdog on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 01:04:40 PM EST

Somebody should totally do a mock inauguration simulcast on the internet featuring the Fantasy Infanticide Dancing Fetuses doing the Can-Can.

As we all know, Ivanka sat in on the (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by vml68 on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 01:11:56 PM EST

very first meeting that the President-elect held with a world leader, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

She also joined the call her father received from Argentine President Mauricio Macri.

Now, we have another world leader, Netanyahu, who includes her in a twitter message to Tr*mp.

This is a freakin' family Presidency. But, nevermind all that, let's instead be outraged that poor Ivanka was spoken to loudly in front of her children.

Ya know V... (5.00 / 2) (#26)
by kdog on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 01:24:50 PM EST

might not be so bad...at the very least we know Donald has something resembling adult supervision when speaking or corresponding with world leaders.

Would you rather he meet/speak/tweet alone? F&ck no!


Yes, some truth there, (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by KeysDan on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:15:08 PM EST

based on his latest tweets, without Ivanka, by the time of his inauguration, he will be wandering around the stage in his pajamas.


: And based on my observations... (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by kdog on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:29:27 PM EST

if not for being born on third base, he would be wandering around the platforms of Penn Station in his pajamas talking to himself.

I don't know, Mr K. I don't have much faith in (none / 0) (#30)
by vml68 on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:33:22 PM EST

any of them.
I am afraid that any more time spent reading and hearing about his latest tweets/comments/drama and I am going to be the one in need of adult supervision :-)!


Wouldn't be the first time either (none / 0) (#36)
by TrevorBolder on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 05:18:36 PM EST

All I can say (none / 0) (#1)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 04:50:40 PM EST

is what GOP pundit Ana Navarro said and that's you can't make this cr*p up when it comes to Trump. Bizarre and ridiculous is what his administration is already.

I console myself (none / 0) (#3)
by MKS on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 05:20:58 PM EST

with the thought that there is a reasonably good chance that I will be successful in never hearing Gen. Cheeto's voice again.

I suppose by accident, and before I can change the channel, I might have to suffer a nano-second before getting rid of that visage from my screen. But I am vigilant.


Me too MKS, but (none / 0) (#5)
by fishcamp on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 06:48:45 PM EST

When the news is on there he is, on every channel. So, thankfully I read a lot. I've switched from actual books to reading on my iPad. I know everybody likes the feel of a good book in their hands, but with the iPad I don't have to turn a light on and look for my reading glasses. Also my old cat likes to sit on my lap, but bites me when I fumble with a book.

In between chapters I try and read a bit from my Constitutional handbook, but have to keep reading the same sentences over and over. I now understand why I don't remember ever reading it way back in school. We will undoubtedly need to know the Constitution and Amendments with the orange man in charge.


I may go back to reading novels (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by MKS on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 06:58:47 PM EST

A disappearing medium, I think. But more time now that I do not watch t.v.

Even the so called liberal channels do not really impart real information.

Online sources of info just as good as t.v.--and depending on the source, can be much better.


And, I am on the Gavin Newsom (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by MKS on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 07:10:34 PM EST

bandwagon.

Donald (of Hawaii) will tell you about his lowest moment, but he has real talent. When he was Mayor of the spiritual center of California, the cabbies spoke for weeks about his having walked the picket line with striking hotel workers.

I just got an email from him asking for donations directly to Planned Parenthood--not to him, but to the organization. He sees where the fight needs to be made.

He can mess up, but, heh, Trump has so lowered the bar, I think Gavin will be fine.

I look forward to his being Governor in 2018, and who knows about 2020.


: He really (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 07:31:01 PM EST

did a great job supporting Hillary and talking about what a stand up person she was because she came and stood with him when everybody else was running from him.

Yes, the US Constituion (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by KeysDan on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 11:50:17 AM EST

along with many US citizens may be found to be in harm's way. Trump has already called for a weakening of the First Amendment by "opening up the libel laws." Media criticisms of Trump have drawn his ire by pledging during the campaign that if he wins news organizations that have criticized him will "have problems," specifically citing the NYTimes and the Washington Post.

And, Republicans have never, it seems, warmed to the liberal underpinnings of the US Constitution. It would not be surprising if Trump will have further emboldened right wing extremists to pursue an Article V Constitutional Convention so as to put all their grips du jour into the permanency of Amendments.

Too many Americans seem to be naive about just what could happen, but we need only look to the make-up of the emerging Trump Cabinet picks to peer into the future. For example, Perry at Energy (the oops department), DeVos at Education (foe of public education), and Price at HHS.

As for Price, it is standard Republican fare to want to repeal Obamacare, and HHS nominee Tom Price fits into that bill snugly.

But, the extremity of Price's views are illustrated in his voting against protecting women in
Washington, DC, from employment discrimination based on their personal decision to use birth control or have an abortion. In an unusual break with the AMA, over 5,700 medical doctors have signed a petition in opposition to Price, an orthopedic surgeon.

Democrats and all thinking Americans need to be not only vigilant, but also, skeptical of anything Trump. And, anything Republican. We have already witnessed the anomaly of Republicans stealing a Supreme Court seat from a Democrat president. It must be borne in mind that Republicans subscribe to the Al Capone school of political skullduggery; they pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you sen one of his to the morgue.


bad linkage (none / 0) (#2)
by leap on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 05:02:45 PM EST

Jeralyn, the "Phallus 2020" link doesn't work.

: Just delete the last character on the url and it w (none / 0) (#8)
by WillieB on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 07:30:22 PM EST

: fixed, it had (none / 0) (#12)
by Jeralyn on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 11:46:46 PM EST

an extra digit in the url, now removed. thanks Willie B for figuring it out.

Trump whines about closing his.... (none / 0) (#11)
by desertswine on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 11:02:52 PM EST

"foundation." And then lies about it, naturally.

Trump Decries His Foundation's Closure, Overstating It's Giving

Trump's a real piece of work.

check out how much it's costing (none / 0) (#13)
by Jeralyn on Tue Dec 27, 2016 at 11:52:20 PM EST

in NYPD time and how businesses around Trump Tower are suffering.

About 200 members of the New York Police Department serve 12-hour shifts outside Trump Tower every day, a total of about 1,400 law enforcement personnel over the course of a week, the police said. The assignments are not permanent, but are done on a rotating basis, using officers from other parts of the city. The officers are pulled evenly from precinct houses across the five boroughs, according to a fact sheet provided by the department.
...City officials have asked the federal government to reimburse the cost of providing security for Mr. Trump, which they said would reach $35 million by the time of his inauguration on Jan. 20. So far, federal officials have set aside $7 million for such expenses.

Restaurants are really being hit hard.

I will vote against any Congressperson who votes to reimburse NYC with federal funds for Trump security.

I don't like Trump either, Jeralyn. (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 04:12:57 AM EST

But I'm not so petty as to oppose federal reimbursement of cities and municipalities for the cost of providing supplemental security for the president (or president-elect). Otherwise, the City and County of Honolulu would be out tens of millions of dollars in additional costs incurred over the last eight years for President Obama's annual return to his old Oahu stomping grounds.


Donald, I agree that (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by Erehwon on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 07:15:00 AM EST

NYC should be reimbursed for the costs, but there's a difference between an annual visit and ongoing daily costs that will continue after January 20. A president with integrity would not foist such daily expenses on the city and the federal government, but we are talking about Trump here! And having lived in NYC for a decade, I despise Trump and shudder for the country and the world.


: but the point is he is doing it (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by nyjets on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 07:25:25 AM EST

Trump is in NYC and there are security expenses for NY.
Therefore, Jeralyn is wrong. NYC is entitled to some money for security and what is happening to local businesses.

: I don't necessarily disagree with you. (none / 0) (#34)
by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:58:24 PM EST

But that said, why punish New York City government and city taxpayers by withholding reimbursement for what is quite obviously a federal expense? Further, it's unlawful for government to assess public officials and employees personally for any costs associated with their own security. It's simply not fair on our part to make an exception in the case of President-elect Trump, based solely upon our intense dislike for the man.

There was a "suspicious package"... (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by kdog on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 09:58:47 AM EST

scare yesterday at Dump Tower...evacuation bomb squad whole 9 yards...turns out it was a bag of Christmas toys.

Which I guess can and should be considered suspicious at Dump Tower...it's the home of The Grinch. The only toys for kids that would be up in there would be suspected hot goods outta Whoville.


: I think they were (none / 0) (#28)
by KeysDan on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:21:18 PM EST

Donald's--but just his most fun and dreamy ones: toy battleships, rockets, mortars.

: I am waiting for Tr*mp to get (none / 0) (#33)
by vml68 on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:49:35 PM EST

this package.
So wrong and yet so funny!
P.S.- I am not sure if this would qualify as NSFW. So, proceed with caution.

So Trump is going (none / 0) (#18)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 08:00:03 AM EST

to destroy more small businesses only this time with his security detail not by refusing to pay them for their services.

Richard Adams... RIP (none / 0) (#31)
by desertswine on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 02:35:39 PM EST

"Once there were two rabbits called Hazel and Fiver."

One of my most favorite reads ever.

Adams was 52 and working for the civil service when his daughters began pleading with him to tell them a story on the drive to school. "I had been put on the spot and I started off, `Once there were two rabbits called Hazel and Fiver.' And I just took it on from there." Extraordinarily, he had never written a word of fiction before, but once he'd seen the story through to the end, his daughters said it was "too good to waste, Daddy, you ought to write that down".

: Wonderful book (none / 0) (#44)
by Lora on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 01:59:35 PM EST

One of my favorites, also. And the movie was surprisingly wonderful as well.
Lately I am into the children's (tweens? YA?) series about the clans of wild cats: "Warriors" by Erin Hunter (et. al.).
I think they are amazing. Combination of soap opera, government, relationship issues, dysfunctional family issues, sprinkled with adventure, battles, strategy, good vs. evil of course, health and sickness, death and dying, mysticism, and downright wonderful characters -- scads of them! For a young people's series, they are remarkably adult with their themes.

: RIP (none / 0) (#45)
by Lora on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 02:01:46 PM EST

Too many beloved famous people have passed recently.

The Trump bump (none / 0) (#35)
by fishcamp on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 03:24:03 PM EST

in the stock market definitely ended today. And yes Trevor, I'm talking to you.

Lol (none / 0) (#37)
by TrevorBolder on Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 05:22:05 PM EST

All good runs come to an end

be ready for the next one


Got (none / 0) (#39)
by FlJoe on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 05:49:10 AM EST

to hand it to you Trumpersters, you always see the glass as half full.....too bad it's from the Flint water system.


huh? (none / 0) (#40)
by TrevorBolder on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 06:13:41 AM EST

I don't expect the market to climb every day for the next 4 years, do you?

I actually expect the market to make a big move once the new policies are in effect, or at least once the actual specifics of the policies are known. A year or two down the road.

This bounce was just due to the euphoria of business and investors


Oh great (none / 0) (#41)
by FlJoe on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 06:39:01 AM EST

business and investors driven by "euphoria"....what could go wrong?


Not much (none / 0) (#42)
by TrevorBolder on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 06:51:03 AM EST

It was a short term run of 1 month, the Dow increasing 8%.

The weaknesses in the market remain,

Once the Fed stops buying up debt, interest rates rise, the market will lose its luster.
Then any rise will depend upon actual economic and business news, corporate profits, rise in GDP.


Tax cuts (5.00 / 2) (#43)
by FlJoe on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 07:39:07 AM EST

and deregulation, hookers and blow...keep the Wall street boys happy...drain the swamp my ass.


: It was always about (none / 0) (#48)
by jondee on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 04:31:01 PM EST

repopulating the swamp with bloated, greedy toads..

Obama (none / 0) (#46)
by FlJoe on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 03:29:37 PM EST

slaps sanction on Russia

Queue up the Quislings.

: Whatever the response (none / 0) (#47)
by jondee on Thu Dec 29, 2016 at 04:12:25 PM EST

from the right wing swarm will be, you can bet it'll be exactly the same, if slightly reworded, issuing from every outlet..
These people stay on message, the way Amazonian bullet ants do.
Probably something something about "parting shots" and Obama showing his angry-black-man vindictive colors the way he did toward Netanyahu.