Squirrel

No kidding ... What is up with him?

Love it, Nunie!

That wasn't the punch line I was expecting. Thought you were going to say they found Brian hiding in your closet, or something like that.

Just drink and it won't matter.

Then register for that particular party this election, and change it for the next if need be. While that's not the best solution, that still allows you to participate by voting. If you just can't stomach having that D or R by your name, there are other ways to participate. Get out and really work for the candidate of your choice, get involved. Volunteering for a specific campaign doesn't mean you are aligned with any particular party, but you are still participating in the process. There is never going to be one solution that pleases everyone, but I don't think open primaries are the best course. Why have primaries at all then and just have one big election, and then a run off between the top two vote getters, regardless of party. That's how the Chicago mayor is elected. If someone wins by certain margin, there isn't even a run off.

I'm still not in favor of open primaries. All that would do is encourage a 'rush to the middle' during the nominating process and I'd be concerned with who are you really getting. Someone who isn't really middle but is placating the middle? Or someone who is truly middle? Also, open primaries just invite spoiler voting and other shenanigans. That's the reason for closed primaries to begin with. While it doesn't cut down on all spoiler voting ... I don't know of a way to do that ... it eliminates the most egregious of that. But I'm all in favor of streamlining the process and not have it go on so long. It's ridiculous to say the least. And I'm more in favor of truly establishing more than two parties, but still keeping primaries closed. If you want to vote for so and so in the socialist primary, then register to vote socialist, and so on down the line, so whichever candidate wins that party's nomination truly represents that party and whatever platform that party stands for.

That's the second game thread intro in which you've referenced me.

All I'm saying is that it is hypocritical of his supporters to claim suppression due to the process in this instance and not in all of the elections, particularly caucuses, and that is exactly what they are doing. And how was Sanders' campaign helping them along, to get them registered, and doing their part to educate in how the process works? The ones complaining are the ones who DID NOTHING up until the last minute and then wanted the process changed, on the spot, so it worked for them exactly at that moment and how they wanted it. Sorry, but that is not establishment suppression. One of the first things I did when I turned 18 was get a new driver's license and register to vote. And the latter was something that was encouraged in school as well as by my parents. Voting isn't just a right, it's a responsibility, some that these kids quickly crying 'foul' seem not to really understand. I'm glad they want to vote, but changing an entire election process at their whim, is an entitled and lazy attitude. Democracy takes work and responsibility. And maybe some of these people didn't feel like there was a reason before to be involved before this, or not even a reason to even understand how, but the election laws are not new. The fault doesn't lie with the parties for their disenfranchisement in this case, the fault lies with these voters crying foul. As for Sanders, how do you explain a life-long politician, eschewing the parties throughout his career, suddenly becoming a member of one in order to run? How do you explain him now criticizing that process, one he full-well knew of, once he has a platform to stand on? I'm sorry, but this was part of his plan all along, and something that has become very clear to me during his campaign. When it doesn't work to his favor, point a finger at it and criticize. I used to like Bernie ... not so much lately. But I don't hate him. Don't characterize my dislike to an extreme.

I find your attitude disappointing as well. Jim Crow? Seriously. Where were these arguments earlier in the process? They are coming out now after Sanders has lost decisively in NY. I have stated earlier that many of the primary processes are undemocratic ... most specifically, caucuses. The caucus system was formed during a time when only white men voted. Where were you during those discussion? The thing is, Sanders fairs better the more closed and inopportune the process, and worse when it's more open. Again, all this is being made into something after losing in NY.

That's what Sanders is doing. I'm sorry, Pseudo, but it is. He has never liked the parties throughout his career and has eschewed them. It's why he never became a member of one, ever ... until a little over a year go when he joined the Democratic Party to run. He hates the party system and this is all part in parcel of what he stands for. While I think there should be more than two parties at play, I think it's very naive to think that it will just change overnight or with one candidate. And crying for election laws to be changed on the spot (as his supporters were doing in NY yesterday) is ridiculous. Register for a party and vote. It's not that complicated. You can change it back to nothing later if you don't want to be associated with it. It's not that complicated. Either work from within to change it, or work from without to change it. In time. But to sit on your butts and then say 'Hey, I think I'll mosey on down and vote' and not know a thing about how that works is not any kind of establishment suppression. It's plain and simple ignorance and/or laziness and/or entitlement-I want it my way now.

And please, seriously. If any candidate doesn't know how the government process of elections works, from primaries on down, no, they shouldn't be running. This is just Sanders being a sore loser. Let's pile it on and destroy the party system is what he is about, nothing else.

Sorry ... but the election laws in every state are not new. You can sit on your butts and do nothing, or you can get involved. Those who wanted to support Sanders should have been out there working at it long ago, even if they were told there was no hope. And come on, do not put this entirely on the Democratic party ... pundits and pollers and whatnot from all areas didn't give Sanders a chance. If you or anyone else doesn't buy into the 'establishment stuff' then you should have been doing something about it before now. Crying foul at this point is just whining entitlement. Sorry, but no. Know how it works ... it's not that hard. If they gave up on it 6 months ago, that's on them, not on the state of New York. And why aren't they crying about the closed primary in Michigan? Or what about all the closed and disenfranchising caucuses? Please ... it's hypocritical to cry foul when you lose and not when you win.

omg ... cheddar fries! What's not to love about that??? Although leave all the bacon and other bits off, please. Pineapple upside down cake is good, and fairly easy to make. But I rarely partake or bake for some reason. Lima beans? Ick, ish, etc. Nothing more needs to be said about that. Look alike ... I guess my closest look-alike is my grandmother (long deceased) ... okay, wait ... I look like her when she was young ... not how she is now, deceased and all.

The Dems don't have any winner-take-all throughout. Only the Republicans do.

Sanders has been at this a lot longer. If doesn't know how it works by now, he shouldn't be running.

Good news to wake up to. Winnah, winnah, chicken breakfast!

You should go here for the hockey game thread ... your login here works there (if you didn't already know that)

Or invite us all over to your place. What's your address?

During the rain delay, I think DG needs to make adult milkshakes for everyone.

The radar shows rain for longer than that.

I have some interesting powers. Too bad it doesn't run in the family.

They aren't playing the Hawks, are they?

Oooou ... Boyer is pitching ... let's feast!

The joke couldn't have pre-dated Chief. They didn't have clocks that far back.

Discreet and Always don't really go together. You should know that by now.