Dave Sandborg's Comments

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and Airport Security Theater by Wil B.

Dec 29, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 32

in reply to a comment by Dave Sandborg

Dave Sandborg Dec 30, 2009, 8:59am EST

Oh, I'm glad you added your own words. It's well worth saying over and over, particularly since the political situation is still such that a failed attack such as this still causes a freakout. The politically "safe" solution is to add more security theater. Until the culture turns around to the point it's possible to act more wisely, we'll be stuck with this situation. One positive I see is that I get the sense people think the restriction on getting up on international flights is a step too far. Once people start to see the ridiculousness of it all perhaps things will start to turn around.

Snowflakes - Everything You EVER wanted to know about 'em! by Gary (The Eclectic) Timothy

Dec 28, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 29

Dave Sandborg Dec 29, 2009, 3:26pm EST

I've always found the intricate six-fold structure of a snowflake to be fascinating. Even one branch of a snowflake can be fascinating and beautiful...and then to repeat it six times over so precisely.

Biggest Storm In 40 Years?? by Dan (Cowboy Up) V.

Dec 23, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 9

Dave Sandborg Dec 29, 2009, 3:23pm EST

We were in Chicago through the duration of this storm, and probably got off pretty lightly. We managed to fly in shortly before flights started to get cancelled due to the weather. By the time we flew out it was pretty much over. In between we had quite a bit of precipitation--nearly four straight days it seemed--but a lot of it wound up coming as rain, so there was nowhere near as much accumulation as there was in other cities.

The liberal position on health care reform: Is the bill too bad to pass? by Dave Sandborg

Dec 20, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 13

in reply to a comment by Dave A.

Dave Sandborg Dec 29, 2009, 3:17pm EST

You're probably correct that Obama has on occasion talked up a public option, particularly in his campaign, but he's been criticized greatly from the left for skirting the issue as of this summer's debate. On the one hand he may have presciently realized it was not an achievable goal; on the other perhaps it was a self-fulfilling prophecy, and if he'd pushed harder he'd have swayed some Senatorial votes in its favor.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and Airport Security Theater by Wil B.

Dec 29, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 32

Dave Sandborg Dec 29, 2009, 12:31pm EST

I fully agree with this. There is a lot about our security systems that makes no sense, except as a way of showing that somebody's doing something. It's all very intrusive but doesn't increase our actual security in any way.

I've been a fan of Bruce Schneier for a while. And he's just written an editorial that expands upon these ideas.

A Photo by Ralph J.

Dec 17, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 11

in reply to a comment by Dave Sandborg

Dave Sandborg Dec 29, 2009, 9:12am EST

Am I good or what? I saw a mermaid show a few years ago at Weeki Wachee. There had been rumors that the show was going to close; I think it may have been saved, but we made it a priority to see it because we were worried we'd never have a chance to see such kitchiness again.

The liberal position on health care reform: Is the bill too bad to pass? by Dave Sandborg

Dec 20, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 13

Dave Sandborg Dec 23, 2009, 8:15am EST

I'll put in what is probably my last word on this, as it does seem the bill is destined for passage now. So far, this piece by Joan Walsh of Salon expresses my opinions about as closely as anything I've seen, both about the bill in particular, and about what it should mean for the left going forward.

12/21/09 ............. FINALLY! by R B

Dec 21, 2009 | recommended: 6 | comments: 19

Dave Sandborg Dec 22, 2009, 12:29pm EST

Though the shortest day of the year just passed, the earliest sunset was some time earlier...and the latest sunrise is still a bit in the future. Not that you'd really notice because it takes a long time for the lengthening daylight hours to really become apparent, but since I like evening daylight I could rejoice a bit earlier!

The liberal position on health care reform: Is the bill too bad to pass? by Dave Sandborg

Dec 20, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 13

Dave Sandborg Dec 21, 2009, 10:38pm EST

Wow, comments from Doug and Kay Vee! Maybe I should comment on politics more often! Thanks to Kay Vee particularly for the historical perspective. I admit that I have not kept up on the history of this debate as well as I should (I was unaware until recently that Obama was against the mandate during the campaign, for instance); I've been more concerned with what makes sense for now, and to me it does seem there is a rationale for a mandate even without a public option. I'm also not sure that the best public option we might have gotten, which even in the House bill was quite weak, would have really held the insurers' feet to the fire. In fact, I have heard it argued that a weak public option would just have allowed the insurers to slough off unwanted customers to the public option, which would suffer for it.

I am mostly concerned with whether this bill will make an improvement, even if it's not the best we can get. And I'm pretty sure, based on what I've read, that this will be the case. I have to admit that my views might be colored by whom I'm reading, particularly Ezra Klein. He's been a strong advocate of the bill, and has taken on some of the strongest arguments of those (on the left) who oppose the bill.

I do think it's a real shame how this seems to be splitting the left. I think that alone will have negative impacts (and is likely causing the Republicans great joy even though they can't maintain their filibuster). I hope those who don't like the bill will channel their efforts towards further improving the situation rather than throwing in the towel. I think it's very important also to change the conversation so that the general public can be educated about the benefits of a public option (or even single-payer) and strong pushback be made against lies like "death panels". That may take a long, long time. I think the nation is ready for further leftward movement, but there are still a lot of ways in which the right's ideas are just ingrained. The struggle to get any health care reform passed demonstrates this, and this may be the easiest of the upcoming initiatives...

A Photo by Dave Sandborg

May 26, 2008 | comments: 13

in reply to a comment by René Allen

Dave Sandborg Dec 21, 2009, 12:18pm EST

It wasn't where I live, actually. I was traveling at the time. And I don't think there was really any danger of a storm, it's just an interesting weather phenomenon. I think it may be somewhat akin to waves in the water, but in our atmosphere instead.

What the...!? by La Gatita .

Dec 16, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 16

in reply to a comment by Nippy Katz (not his real name) Patriotic Troll of Gather Freedom

Dave Sandborg Dec 19, 2009, 5:05pm EST

Actually, her "existential cry of despair" picture is a fine example of tail wrap.

Coasting Across the Pond, day 2: Legoland Windsor and Adventure Island by Dave Sandborg

Dec 12, 2009 | comments: 9

in reply to a comment by Janna R.

Dave Sandborg Dec 18, 2009, 9:21am EST

They did a lot of creative things at Legoland. I could really imagine working there being a fun job.

What's Christmas without nuts? by R B

Dec 15, 2009 | comments: 42

Dave Sandborg Dec 17, 2009, 12:27pm EST

I'd go with pistachios, either shelled or unshelled.

A few years ago we had a bowl of mixed nuts still in their shells. They were good, but it was a bit too much of a pain to crack them; they wound up lasting until about July.

Where is Tunisia? Why Tunisia? by Verie Sandborg

Dec 16, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 18

Dave Sandborg Dec 17, 2009, 12:17pm EST

I thought Hannibal ravaged the countryside around Rome, but couldn't ultimately deliver a sound victory and ultimately had to retreat at high cost. However my history is a bit weak here...

I find it really fascinating that an entire tour group was let into a Berber household.

What the...!? by La Gatita .

Dec 16, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 16

in reply to a comment by Nippy Katz (not his real name) Patriotic Troll of Gather Freedom

Dave Sandborg Dec 17, 2009, 12:07pm EST

La Gatita's tail is definitely one of her outstanding features. She has very good tail-wrap technique, which can be imperfectly seen in some of the stepladder photos. All the way around the front paws...

A Photo by Ralph J.

Dec 17, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 11

Dave Sandborg Dec 17, 2009, 2:16am EST

Do you happen to know where this came from? It reminds me of the mermaid park at Weeki Wachee.

A Photo by Rick Meyer

Oct 22, 2008 | comments: 5

in reply to a comment by Elena M.

Dave Sandborg Dec 16, 2009, 1:51pm EST

We were considering going to Segovia on our recent Spain trip but couldn't quite fit it within the time we had. I do regret it, but maybe it was a good thing after all, as we would have had a similar day trip and probably couldn't have done it justice.

A Photo by Gul Dixon

Dec 16, 2009 | recommended: 2 | comments: 18

Dave Sandborg Dec 16, 2009, 9:01am EST

Longwood Gardens, I've been there. Sometime I'll have to get back there. I like the idea of the children constructing even the tree itself.

Coasting Across the Pond, day 2: Legoland Windsor and Adventure Island by Dave Sandborg

Dec 12, 2009 | comments: 9

in reply to a comment by Ishbel R.

Dave Sandborg Dec 15, 2009, 3:23pm EST

Thanks for the info, Ishbel. I really didn't know what "Offy" was.

Yes, we had a busy day. There would be some more relaxed days later in the trip, but for the most part it remained fast-paced. Stay tuned!

RIP Gus by Ina ♥ Tagline Free Since September '09 ♥

Dec 14, 2009 | recommended: 1 | comments: 136

Dave Sandborg Dec 14, 2009, 12:18pm EST

I guess even the ultimate feline survivor has to reach an end sometime. I'm really sorry to hear it.