That said, and while I will try to keep my hands off the discourse, that is not a license to be vile, and should the complaints get bothersome about what goes on here, I'll have to reassess the notion. Be nice, to the extent that you can.
Get a room
That said, and while I will try to keep my hands off the discourse, that is not a license to be vile, and should the complaints get bothersome about what goes on here, I'll have to reassess the notion. Be nice, to the extent that you can.
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Cool! Let's hope everyone sees it. I almost didn't.
ReplyDeleteWe can discuss off topic things here too perhaps.
Did anyone see today's article in the ST about the parents who got in trouble for letting their kids walk home from the park in a nice suburb. Ridiculous, CPS should have more pressing concerns.
Is Zorn nicer than Neil to his readers?
ReplyDeleteNeil is nice to his readers. It just seems he doesn't tolerate outright stupidity and prejudice, which is fine with me, especially relating to prejudice. It's fun watching someone being stupid get smacked down a bit....unless it's yourself :)
ReplyDeleteLike the pic.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious, NS! Of course, I have to nitpick, though. The Rocket actually seems like a pretty nice place, all things considered. I'd have thought you'd have gone with one of the old no-tel motels from yesteryear on Lincoln Ave., up toward Peterson. More importantly, there's no vacancy! ; )
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can tell, 8:55 Anon, Zorn's blog is a shadow of its former self, due to annoying changes to the Tribune website last summer. There is much less content and much less spirited discussion among the commenters than there was previously. Zorn doesn't suffer fools gladly, either, but would occasionally get into a back-and-forth with a commenter if he thought it was worthwhile and the moment was right. These days he seems even less involved in interacting with commenters than Neil, and much less so than he was when the earlier format was in use.
I'm (almost) always nice. To paraphrase a famous fundamentalist preacher, "it's the lie that hurts, not the truth! Though the truth does have a bit of a sting to it."
ReplyDeleteITA on Zorn's blog. Re: the tech issues, I think the whole Tribune site is an IT mess - I get that they need to monetize but even subscribers are subjected to endless pop-ups, pages that won't print hardcopies, unwanted video, etc. The site looks entirely different depending on whether I use internet explorer or another browser.
The change that annoyed me most regarding Zorn's blog is that the Tribune website suddenly stopped letting me access it, even though I've been a print subscriber for years. Every time I tried to log in, I kept getting the digital runaround, the details of which I won't bore anyone with, until I finally just said the hell with it.l
DeleteBScr - FWIW, I can only comment on the Trib's site (which I do very infrequently), if I use IE. When I use one of several offbeat browsers (always the contrarian, I know...) it will show me "subscriber only" articles but that's it (ironically it's a much cleaner/simpler interface with the other browsers). I'm only a digital subscriber, but I wouldn't think that the digital access they give home subscribers is an issue.
DeleteWait just one minute, here. We were all recently reliably informed by an incisive anonymouse that Scribe, A-n-A, and I are all the same person. This is certainly an elaborate and splendid piece of sock-puppetry! And you know how Neil loves puppets. ; )
DeleteActually, no, it's not you. I used to think B.Scribe and Anon Not were one. But I know better now. Anon Not is more outgoing and engaging then Scribe.
DeleteYou really know how to hurt a guy.
Deletehugs
DeleteIn Eric's defense, he was grief-stricken over the mess that is the Tribune's web site and struggled against it with no result (I say, stipulating that we at the Sun-Times can't throw stones in this department. It's heartbreaking that, at this moment anyway, an ad hoc blog run by one guy has far more flexibility and user-friendly interface than the jumping jumble cooked up by the supposedly great news engines of this city).
ReplyDeleteThanks for that insight, NS. I agree with you; it's a sad situation. Though not so surprising, I suppose, as the mom-and-pop business always does seem to beat the big guys when it comes to customer service...
DeleteI've wondered what EZ has thought about the whole mess; he hasn't been very forthcoming on his blog, from the limited amount that I've paid attention. The one comment he made sounded to me like he was a victim of Stockholm Syndrome or something, trying to justify the corporate rationale. Something to the effect that "blogs are very 'aughty'", IIRC, and now Facebook and Twitter are the way to go. "Aughty" meaning from the previous decade.
Like A-n-A, I understand that monetization is the driving force behind many of the changes, but the number of "clicks" required to effectively navigate Change of Subject under the new format, in addition to the things that A-n-A mentioned, were pretty much a deal-breaker for me.
One note: A significant annoyance at Zorn's blog now is that commenters can't tell from the main page when a new comment has been made on a particular post. Here, on your main blog, one can tell, so it's easy for those interested to keep up with any incoming new comments on any of the posts. That handy feature is missing from the shiny new Rocket Motel page, FWIW...
Anyway, hey, if half the comments here continue to be used to beat up on the Trib, maybe you'll like the Rocket Motel more than you figured! ; )
You never know.I try to be open to things. To be honest, I had the same Lincoln Avenue motel photo thought -- the Rocket is a nice place, the boys and I stayed there when we went out west in 2009. So I might swing over and get a replacement, more wan sign. Or we might just get used to this one. In regard to being candid about one's workplace, you try not to shit where you live.
DeleteI recall the columns from you, when you went west with your sons.
DeleteI wish you had a daughter too. It would give you a different perspective.
I do too, but not for that reason, but so that I could have bought her dolls.
DeleteYou never know.I try to be open to things. To be honest, I had the same Lincoln Avenue motel photo thought -- the Rocket is a nice place, the boys and I stayed there when we went out west in 2009. So I might swing over and get a replacement, more wan sign. Or we might just get used to this one. In regard to being candid about one's workplace, you try not to shit where you live.
Deleteyou probably wanted to buy her puppets, grin
Deleteyou can get the boys action figure dolls
DeleteI went to look on there only cause it was mentioned on the blog here in the past and for curiosity. Forget it, I can't make heads or tails of it. This one takes up enough of my time and is interesting-don't need another.
ReplyDeleteRemember, chivalry, Mr. S., when you have to give a retort to a lady poster, especially if she's older than you.
NS should make more appearances on his fb though and make that more of a business related one. He has family one but only rels or pals can post there and I don't want to intrude and send a message. There's no friending button. Maybe you can do a separate business FB, Neil.
See, you are addicting.
If NS sees this, how do you like John Fountain's columns? I best watch my apostrophes or Coey will beat me up.
Perhaps you should change the pic here to one of those downtrodden motels that Mr. Brown often writes about.
Hate to be the bossy, Italian here Neil, but then change your title of the hotel pic so that it shows that this isn't just for arguments.
Okay, now here, I'd like to hear people's opinions of the holy roller Duggar recent scandal.
I wouldn't dream of beating you up. I will just silently judge you.
DeleteDuggar situation is sad and pathetic. I feel sorry for all the girls in that family.
DeleteAnd I'm supposed to know an anonymous poster is older, and a lady ... how? And my FB page is open to everybody who asks. I have nearly 5,000 friends. A pro page is a waste of time at this point.
Deleteokay, I asked, see fb please
Deleteyes, Neil, we know you have telepathic powers
DeleteGlad the ST published that shocking pic of the cops posing in an inappropriate racist pose. That Finnegan even bullied other cops. I think McCarthy cracks down on that moreso than the past supt's did.
ReplyDeleteSurprised no one had other thoughts on that cop pic.
DeleteThis blog is hopping, didn't take long.
ReplyDeleteCoey, I agree with your sentiments on that Duggar perv. I'd like to say more but want to keep it clean.
If I'd ever heard of that family before about a week ago, I wasn't aware of it. My hope at this point is that I can now return to my previous state of blissful ignorance about them.
DeleteI'm glad the ST is exposing more of Rauner the beast's doings and overpayments to his so called prize staff.
ReplyDeletethoughts?
DeleteThibodeau doesn't deserve the shabby treatment he is getting from Paxson.
ReplyDeletethoughts?
Agreed - it's also dumb on Paxon's part because this team is naturally on the decline (people pay too much attention to D-Rose's health and not enough to Noah's, Pau is amazing but eventually age is going to catch up to him, giving Jimmy a max contract is going to limit their moves, and while I'm not giving up on Doug M. just yet, he didn't show glimpses of lottery-level quality). They'd be far better off firing Thibs after a more disappointing season. Though the team really played poorly in the Cleveland series, that wasn't Thibs fault (can't hit a bucket for 10 minute stretches - really?) - no shame in losing to LeBron (see how easily they handled Atlanta?). Nightmare scenario: Golden State beats Cleveland in the finals, Thibs goes to Cleveland.
DeleteOne radio report said they aren't firing Thib right away so the other open coaching jobs for other teams get taken and then they don't have to compete against him.
DeleteLeBron would like him as coach.
Rose phones it in most of the time. Cant believe he said that time how he has to stay healthy for his sons grad. years off. Overpaid!
DeleteI like your sporting style-ANA- they need you on 670am- the Score. And yes, this is a lady that follows sports, often surprising my male neighbors with the conversation.
DeleteThe ST sports pages help keep one up on the sports news too and in an interesting way.
DeleteMorrissey especially is a riot.
DeleteTelander must be semi -retired. He doesn't write as much and there's some good other sports writers there too.
Thanks to the anon who suggested this and to Mr. S for following through.
Anon @10:14 - The Score could use you! I think they really lose something by not having ANY female hosting presence. Julie Sweica (sp?) was really good on baseball. Mully and Hanley are a class act - big drop off after that. (The Score is also a good case study for this blog's discussion of homophobia: only a few years ago their hosts constantly used "gay" and "faggity" as put-downs (complete with funny-voice "drop-in" recordings). Now one of those same hosts rails prodidgiously against homophobia (but still makes fun of women sportscasters if they are well-endowed and then issues non-apology apologies when caught) But I digress...
DeleteYes, heard that about the Score. There's still a lot of chauvinism in the sportscasting world. ESPN 1000 is dull imo.
DeleteAnyway, just heard on news radio that Thibs did get fired today.
I don't watch sports on TV much. Not since I lost interest in the Sox and the Bears some. I hate when games are on espn tv-don't like those sportscasters. The only fun thing about the Bears was listening to the put downs of Cutler and Marshall the next day after the game on the Score. (Cubs, fuggedabout it). The Hawks are interesting for now.
DeleteThe mid aft. Score sportscasters, forgot names, aren't too great.
Sports radio is good to listen too while driving.
DeleteWell speaking as a female, I get the impression that some of the lady sportscasters on tv programs aren't in there just for their sports content but as eye candy as well. That's the only way some males will accept them or maybe it helps viewer numbers. Still I don't begrudge them their job.
DeleteMr. S., Perhaps you can set this up by day, since one has to scroll all the way down further and further as the posts progress.
ReplyDeleteI had that thought too. That will become an issue, won't it? But that would cut off the old room, and in theory people might want to revisit/continue their conversations. Plus it would be a pain in the ass. Let's let this go a while and see how it plays out.
DeleteIs it possible for the posts to appear in reverse chronological order?
DeleteP.S. When I try to check the "Notify me" box, I get an error message, and I do not, in fact, get notified. Only here, not in the regular blog.
Coey: I looked over the settings, and don't see anything that would reverse the chrono order. I'll just create new motel rooms every week. I'm not doing it every day --too much work.
DeleteFair enough. Thank you!
DeleteEvery week would be too long of a blog at this rate, perhaps a 2x a week change at min.
Delete"I'll just create new motel rooms every week. "
ReplyDeletelol, imagine if your wife saw just that part of the conversation, NS.
Any History buffs, history teachers or history majors out there?
ReplyDeleteUpdate on spellers- South Asian co winners again on the bee Thurs night
ReplyDeleteReinsdorf should fire Forman and Paxson.
ReplyDeleteJudging from Reinsdorf's press release, he was firmly on Team PaxGar, though there's always a chance he put that out to take some of the heat off his employees. The coach he should have fired was Robin Ventura.
DeleteI hate it when I agree with Joe Cowley.
DeleteYes, Ventura needs to go and fast. Reinsdorf can be too loyal at times. Look at the big mouth Ozzie situation.
DeleteWhat about Cowley bothers you, A/N/A? He's no Morrissey but okay I guess.
As to Dennis comment below, so much for my eating at his family restaurant, White Fence Farm in Lemont, lol.
Anyhow, I wonder what this big secret is from his days of hs coaching that he paid someone off on? Something with a minor? cheating for the team??? I'm curious.
Re: Cowley - apart from the unrelenting sexism stuff that forced him off Twitter, you shouldn't be that arrogant if you're consistently that wrong. He's the Dick Morris of sportswriters, at least until recently with respect to the Bulls (but he's still defending Ozzie, notwithstanding the dismal performance in Miami and the complete lack of interest in giving Ozzie another managers spot).
DeleteWhat's shocking to me about the Dennis Hastert indictment is that today, when you google it, so many blog posts from 2006-10 with "consistent" rumors pop up. It's almost enough to make you start listening to Alex Jones.
ReplyDeleteI have a fanciful imagination, but I can't conceive of anything, short of murder, so horrendous, that it would justify a 3.5 million blackmail payment to keep quiet.
DeleteI would draw your attention to the "wrestling coach" part of his biography. Think harder.
DeleteWell I got as far as pondering there is the possibility of unlawful restraint of a minor, permanent scars, but high school teacher and student inappropriate relationships are getting to be pretty pedestrian these days. He left coaching in the early 80's, the statute of limitations could see him clear of liability for criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. A mere million can buy a lot of lawyering up, He could plead to the court all kinds of sex therapy, and consoling.. I find it hard to believe you would classify same sex relations as horrendous.
DeleteWell it is if it's with a minor! same or not the same, but to his party, the former would be extra horrendous
DeleteOkay, so he cheated as wrestling coach or fudged numbers? Gave the students steroids? Or got too cozy with a minor student? hmmmmm
ReplyDeleteCoey are you a Paul Newman fan? that's a good thing
ReplyDeleteI knew this gay stuff would go too far-at some point
ReplyDeleteMen Who Were Once Registered As 'Father And Son' Marry After Adoption Is Dissolved
The Huffington Post UKMay 28 05:04 AM
For 15 years, Norman MacArthur and Bill Novak were legally recognised as father and son. But on Sunday, the pair, who are aged 74 and 76, got married to each other.
If that's an example of anything "going too far", it's the lengths that these gentleman had to go to because of the long-standing discrimination that they faced.
Delete"MacArthur and Novak met in their 20s and have been in a relationship for 54 years. ... To protect their estate and ensure they were afforded certain legal rights, their only option was for one of them to legally adopt the other."
They figured out a loophole for assuring themselves of some of the rights that have long been enjoyed by heterosexuals, but were denied to them. Seems to me that you might be applauding the fact that these gentlemen can now have their relationship honestly validated, rather than relying on the less-than-ideal, frankly deceptive solution that they had previously employed. Instead of speciously ridiculing it, your attitude might be "Another victory of honesty over prejudice, thanks to legal same-sex marriage."
And here's the link to the story, for anybody who might like to see it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/28/norman-macarthur-bill-novak-adoption-marriage_n_7458650.html
Oh, Jack, get off your pious highhorse. I was being tongue in cheek-perhaps I wasn't clear.
ReplyDeleteyes, these were clever guys
you must be coey's brother
ReplyDeleteI can see you being defensive on that if you are gay, J.
ReplyDelete"...perhaps I wasn't clear." Well, you got that much right. One out of 3 guesses ain't bad! When we have no idea who you are from comment to comment, and when you write a simple declarative sentence, such as the one that you started that post off with, I can assure you that there's no way that we can infer that you're being tongue-in-cheek. And "pious", I ain't. ; )
DeleteAre you an English teacher?
DeleteSomeone told me they just heard on news radio that the Hassert person in question is a former co-worker he abused. Hmm, if it's a guy, that would really be embarrassing for a repub.
ReplyDeleteCoey, that's good you said on some blog you can be pals with Repubs. I can't-would argue with them too much. Most of rels dem too.
ReplyDeleteImagine those big banks manipulating the economy with their games. Then some mid class repubs burying head in sand. Such hypocrisy in that party, even if Dems not perfect.
3 cheers for Loretta Lynch.
Or fat ass Rush Limpbaugh-I like that spelling better, chiding Pres. for not putting boots in the ground when he avoided serving.
I'm more moderate Dem though on fiscal and labor matters more than social ones.
As Seinfeld said, Jakash, not there's anything wrong with that.
yahoo news, so it was a student with Hassert, the yahoo news article doesn't tell which gender though
ReplyDeleteI suppose that former student could be up for extortion. Ironic how he got in trouble though only when he hid assets from IRS or this might not be known. Don't lie to the FBI.
http://news.yahoo.com/dennis-hastert-allegedly-engaged-sexual-misconduct-during-time-202654802.html
And to think they were almost going to put up a statue of him, lol.
ReplyDeleteOh, it was male or males he molested.
ReplyDeleteHis wife should dump him and his grown kids and grandkids should spit on him.
Oh, just read on Wiki he became a born again as a teen. Those are the worst hypocrites. They don't like mainstream religions but have no mind for science while they act so righteous. Oafs! Where is everyone?
ReplyDeleteThat's Hastert by the way,not Hassert.
I see the Wheaton College holy rollers will have him resigning his board seat there.
ReplyDeleteWish NS would comment on this turn of events.
Why? What part isn't obvious? I thought of the words of the great Garrison Keillor: "It's not the fall that hurts you, it's what you do trying not to fall." Or something similar. But given the gravity of what he seems to have done, I'm not sure levity is in order, except to remind us of the beauty of candor. Faced with these awful accusations coming out, Hastert chose to compound his difficulties by spending millions of dollars and opening himself up to federal charges. And the damning details will still come out, with more drama than had they been revealed otherwise. Candor is the best route -- well, not abusing kids is the best route. Then candor about your crimes comes a distant second.
ReplyDeleteNot abusing kids is the best route, but I'm not sure we have enough info to know whether candor is second. Maybe this goes on a lot more than we think and usually the coverup works. Even in DH's case, it worked long enough for him to rise to a position of immense power and let him make goodness knows how much money as a lobbyist. All that for a few years in Club Fed for lying to the FBI charges? Lots of illegal immigrants have risked and sacrificed a lot more for their kids and/or themselves.
Deletethanks and right on the money
ReplyDeletewhy? cause no one says it better
ReplyDeleteNo need to get snippy Neil -sonny boy. Be glad that some want to read your comments.
ReplyDeleteI love that you changed your handle to "Older lady."
Delete"Get snippy"? I think it's pretty much a done deal. I yam what I yam, as Poppy said. You choose to be here; don't ask me to feel sorry for you because of it, or put on a show. I'm happy people want to read my comments in the paper. This is a hopeful hobby I perform for some nebulous purpose unknown even to myself.
DeleteWhere's Tom Evans? Haven't seen him around in a few days. Hope he's well.
ReplyDeleteAnon -- I'm sure Mr. Evans is doing just fine, as people do take time off from blogs on occasion :)
DeleteI was wondering the same about Mr. Evans. I miss his fun mini lessons in the comments.
DeleteI mentioned this at the end of yesterday's thread; guess I might as well scrawl it on the wall of the Rocket Motel, too. When he made his most recent comment on EGD, maybe a couple weeks ago, he was on vacation in Italy. I bet he's more than okay...
DeleteOh, by the way, while scrolling to the bottom of these comments doesn't strike me as particularly challenging. I thought, whenever the room gets 100 comments, I'll add a new room—provided I have a motel picture to use—and thus there will be various rooms that people can retire to, and not too many comments to hurry past. It seems a popular feature.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone tried those new Hebrew National, low fat beef hot dogs? Delicious. I have to watch cholesterol, etc, and they have less fat than turkey hot dogs, which aren't quite the same. Yay, now I can have my hot dog and eat it too.
ReplyDeleteI love your kind of out of left field hot dog comment. I love those hot dogs too, and they are only around 45 calories each, and good (if you grill them.) I just chanced on this new site this morning, and I am loving it. Thanks for the fun, NS! NWPC
DeleteWonder what NWPC stands for.
DeleteNathan's has a low fat, beef hog dog as well.
Too bad Vienna hasn't done this yet.
Tired of all this rain- no grilling hot dogs today.
I see in the Sat. SunTimes, some group thinks the title of the Aloha movie is disrespectful? Really? Isn't that pc gone too far?
ReplyDelete48 degrees near June? for a daytime high? ridic- can't even plant some things in garden yet
ReplyDeleteYeah, Blackhawks! Didn't think they would get this far.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I just cannot resist: NS will add a new hotel room after 100 comments, so....
ReplyDelete...I'm just hurrying it along, to see exactly how it works....
ReplyDelete....and yes, the Blackhawks were awesome tonight! On to the Stanley Cup finals !!!
ReplyDeleteWhy do I have to certify that I am not a robot when I AM a robot? Or maybe you could have a special room for robot expression. Robot rights NOW! oh, and while you are at it: Oil Can!
ReplyDeleteoh be quiet already, Robbie the fool, is more like it
ReplyDelete