I've heard things like pay parties when I was in university. Usually it was something like, "$10, all the beer you can drink."

"$10, all the beer you can drink."

See, we didn't say that, because we could not legally sell beer. So we sold cups for the beer. And of course, you couldn't bring your own cup.

My guess is that the motivation for the Giffords shooting will not be easily placed into "crazy" or political. It is true that the vast majority of mentally ill people are non-violent. It is also true that a small percentage engage in violence for various reasons. Those who have a mental illness are absolutely influenced by the the culture around them. And we no longer have a mental health system that functions.

Shorter: Was Jared Lougher mentally ill, stupid, or political? Most likely, yes.

Whether or not there is ever definitive proof that Lougher was specifically influenced by Tea Party rhetoric, they sure as shit are playing with fire, and must bear responsibility for their deliberate cultivation of not just a culture of fear, but violent rebellion.

Interesting parallel drawn between the current spate of violent rhetoric and that of the racist South: [link]

I completely fail to get why some people think meetings are optional, and seem surprised when I call them to get them on the meetings. Especially when they have been attending regularly up to this point.

And then go on to participate in decisions, etc during the meeting, because obviously they were needed.

Or Dallas in 1963 (though let off the hook by the Warren Commission) [link]

I am wondering what is up with the people who are saying that both sides are engaging in violent rhetoric. Am I not remembering things public figures said during George W Bush's term? Or things now. I mean, I know plenty of private people who said nasty things about Bush, but not people with the power and influence that Palin/Beck/etc have.

The last violent leftist I remember was Emma Goldman (unless Black Panthers are considered leftist?)

I completely fail to get why some people think meetings are optional, and seem surprised when I call them to get them on the meetings. Especially when they have been attending regularly up to this point.

Ah, my attendees don't show up and then freak out over scheduling decisions made in a meeting called "Release schedule review."

This seems like as good a time as any to re-read "What If The Tea Party Were Black. [link]

DJ, I never knew that. Interesting.

They were pretty common when I was younger, like college age to mid-twenties. I wouldn't raise a brow at it then, but if it was people my age that would different.

This.

The term when I was growing up "house party".

And this.

And, I am exhausted. Today has been a bit of a marathon day. I need a break.