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September 4, 2008

Thursday Blogwrap

brightonbeach_08_09.jpg
Brighton Beach. Photo by J Blough.
Marriages From a Scene [CityRoom]
Bergen Street Sinkhole Update [Gowanus Lounge]
Favorite Tailors and Seamstresses [Brooklyn Based]
How Not the Get Beat Up in the Hood [Greenpointers]
New Brooklyn Book Spins Stuckey's AY Account [AY Report]
Long Island Restaurant Still Closed, Still Missed [McBrooklyn]
Will Gentrification Keep Burg Condos From Glowing in the Dark? [Curbed]




Posted by lisa at 4:30 PM | Comments (53)
Categories: Blogwrap

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Comments

Let's start a caption contest for this pic.....

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 4, 2008 4:42 PM

I think thats my dominican ex.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 4, 2008 4:55 PM

The one on the right, on the phone, dittoburg?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 4, 2008 4:59 PM

Is that what a "Brazilian" looks like??

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 4, 2008 4:59 PM

No, the one with the gold sandals.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 4, 2008 5:05 PM

and the handbag.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 4, 2008 5:05 PM

I can only imagine what the chick on the phone is saying.

Posted by: greenpointers at September 4, 2008 5:17 PM

Not to be mean, but the one on the left looks like she's a model for Hawaiian Tropic, while the one on the right looks like a model for Hawaiian Punch.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2008 5:34 PM

mmmmmm...cafe con leche.


Posted by: Prodigal_Son at September 4, 2008 5:46 PM

That's ME!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at September 4, 2008 5:55 PM

bayridgegirl, I hope you're not referring to the Babushka on the far left, although she looks like a real sweetie.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2008 5:58 PM

BILF?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at September 4, 2008 6:17 PM

I'm bayridgegirl...not bayridgegranny.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at September 4, 2008 6:19 PM

No comments about the "hipsters" getting beat down???

I could use a laugh.

Posted by: Come Clean at September 4, 2008 7:49 PM

Good lord.

My first thought was "huh?" when I saw the bikini-bedecked chippie in the photo, then I saw Come Clean's noticing the hipster beat down article, read that, and now I'm thinking that Sarah Palin is perhaps not the weirdest thing to happen to this week.

Sigh.

Posted by: Nokilissa at September 4, 2008 8:23 PM

bayridgegirl, if that's you next to the BILF (great joke, SnarkSlope!), then I'm going to take you up on your offer for a guided tour of Bay Ridge!

Nokilissa, you've been missed here big time. Welcome back. I hope you had a great summer with your family.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 8:03 AM

BILF!!! (Babushka I'd like to...) THAT was funny.

Biff, can't believe it's over. Not ready by a long shot. Feeling sad about summer's end and extremely jittery about the fall elections. I don't know how I'll survive this one if it goes the wrong way. I think I'll vomit, pick up my family, and move to Montreal all in one fell swoop. Is that how one says that?

Posted by: Nokilissa at September 5, 2008 8:56 AM

Summer doesn't end until 3 more weeks. Anyway, Autumn is great. Chin up.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 9:22 AM

Insane that Dems are jittery about the fall elections in an election year where the other party can't point to anything positive and everyone is tired of them (including republicans). Dems spent 18 months slowly devouring their past candidate, their last two VP picks weren't welcome at the convention, and Obabma got beat up by a person no-one had heard of two wweks ago. Oy, if they blow this anyone who's jittery should either give up and vote Republican or move to Canada.

Posted by: jawbreaker at September 5, 2008 11:00 AM

jawbreaker:

A few things to consider:

Remember how many people publicly said they'd move to Canada if GWB won the 1st time around? Then the second time? Now how many did?

Remember how self confident Dems were that we'd defeat Bush the 1st time around? Then the second time?

Lesson here: DONT UNDERESTIMATE THJE STUPIDITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
In short: we're fucked.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at September 5, 2008 11:16 AM

Nokilissa, I hear you. We could be in for a pro-occupation, pro-life, pro-creationism, anti-gun control, pro-drilling Alaska dry, class-divide-increasing, social program reducing White House.

jawbreaker, I can't argue with you. It's unimaginable that there's a sense (which I share) that the Dems may actually find a way to blow this one. It is absolutely unbelievable given what they have to work with based on Bush's record. But he got elected a second time, so I have little faith in the voters and the Dems...

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 11:18 AM

Prodigal Son, you're right. Election-wise, I was surprised and disappointed in 2000, stunned and devastated in 2004. Nothing will ever shock me again.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 11:26 AM

Wow, we just went from discussing a beautiful woman in a bikini to talking about McCain. Talk about killing the mood...

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 11:39 AM

If anyone wants a small giggle, take a look at this:


http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6bda020b0f

And I'm not sure about this "if the dems blow it again" thing.

The "Dems" must rely on a bunch of Doe-eyed undecided (!) John and Jane Publics across a vast sea of supposed swing states who are actually buying the idea that Republicans are somehow more strong and protective of them AND the idea that McCain and Ms. Palin will somehow protect their economic interests and bring change to Washington (shudder, small throw-up in my mouth) - despite all evidence to the contrary and despite the fact that he believes the middle class hovers somewhere around 5 million per annum...

Posted by: Nokilissa at September 5, 2008 11:40 AM

Nokilissa, absolutely. The only change they'll bring will further screw the country. Palin may be charismatic and captivating, but her stances on important issues is truly frightening. As the Clash said in one of their many great songs, "If Adolf Hitler flew in today, they'd send a limousine anyway"

"http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/White-Man-In-Hammersmith-Palais-lyrics-The-Clash/AC9D02C2D46C2289482568AB00324D18

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 11:53 AM

The Democrats seem to still be afraid to attack. When there's so much to go for, why are they holding back?

Some clips from the Repub's convention --Juliani's hateful sneer, Palin's putting down habeas corpus (though she didn't say it that way, probably would've beyond the capability of the teleprompter)--Romney's rants, etc, with a strong rebuttal could start it off well.

Just the fact that Palin's views are SO far out of line with the majority should be a profitable angle to attack. Ignore her trailer mentality and her brood. Attack what she stands for.

But I'm not expecting much.

Posted by: cmu at September 5, 2008 1:21 PM

That chica is still hot.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 1:23 PM

Read somewheres this morning that a lot of people are really turned off by the attack policy of McCain and Palin. It may be the country is sick and tired of the politics of attack/ distraction and face it, when you're worried about losing your house and your job, or you can't pay your doctor bills, the fact that a rich white woman looks good in heels and can dress a moose, is the last thing you care about. Or should care about.

Anyway- that's the hope I'm holding on to for November.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 1:32 PM

What has "white" got to do with it? You mention it like its an epithet.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 1:56 PM

I've noticed that the guy with the funny Muslim name looks a wee bit dark.

As opposed to 98% of the Republican conventioneers.

So it may be relevant.

But, bxgrl, is Palin "rich?"...not (yet) by McCain's 5-million-a-year standards, I believe?

Posted by: cmu at September 5, 2008 2:29 PM

Yea, its relevant if the race of the candidate is important to you. But in the end CMU stating it is relevant is no more acceptable than a white "Republican conventioneer" stating Obama's race is relevant (in their decision making). If you think its ok to be subtly anti-white CMU, you're wrong.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 2:58 PM

well, I am white so it wasn't an epithet. It was a reference was to the fact that the Republican party is not the party of diversity and they seem quite proud of it. Nor is their demographic middle or lower income people, people of color or small business owners.

But they have no problem putting Palin out there as some icon of women's rights, blue color workers and environmentalism. None of which she is. In my opinion.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 3:21 PM

Obviously race should not be relevant. The unfortunate reality is it will be to many voters, just as Palin's gender will be. That aside, I thought Palin took some (albeit not unexpected) cheap shots at Obama. I'm not saying Obama is perfect, but the difference in their class (as in refinement) was obvious, especially after Obama asked the news outlets not to report on Palin's personal life and to leave her family out of the voting decision.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 3:21 PM

Oops- forgot to add that the Republican Party is trying to play her up as "everyman." And she is so not.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 3:22 PM

"Nor is their demographic middle or lower income people, people of color or small business owners."

You say that - but thats exactly the people who provide the extra votes needed that got them into power. As has been suggested, people often vote against their interests - e.g. people often vote for the income group that they aspire to be in, not they one they are actually in.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 3:27 PM

want to have a good time biff- go to some of the blogs on the Washington Post. whew! Pro Palin and McCain have posted not a single issue- it's all about insulting Obama and Biden on looks, personality, careers. To be sure they're giving as good as they get but while most of them are making points about issues, the GOPers are carrying on about how great Palin delivered her speech, how many zingers, etc.One person is making the point the she thinks dems re jealous because Palin is good looking (oh of course. And that makes me forget all the men we've lost in Iraq and as of today a 6.1% unemployment rate?)

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 3:28 PM

dittoburg- I hope we don't do that this November. McCain as President doesn't frighten me nearly as much as Palin as veep.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 3:32 PM

"Good looking" is always a relative term with politicians. Its been applied to JFK and Bill Clinton too. Relative to other politicos - yes, but relative to the population in general.....

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 3:33 PM

bxgrl, I couldn't stomach to read that! But you're exactly right. Palin's speech was written and delivered with fire but there was no substance and I hope she and McCain get trounced in the debates. That said, I thought Kerry manhandled Bush in the 2004 debates and, remarkably, some people thought Bush held his own. Yes, they're jealous of Palin's looks just like Iraqis, Afghans, et. al. hate us because they're jealous of our lifestyle. It's such a twisted lie it's amazing people believe it. Meanwhile, people aren't attacking Canada. For some reason they aren't jealous of their equally comfortable or "free" lives.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 3:35 PM

The same woman made the argument that she won't vote for Obama because McCain is so much cuter. And another woman posted on another blog that Michelle Obama would be a terrible first lady because she is too big and "amazonian" (her word, not mine). these are important issues to the Republicans obviously.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 3:53 PM

What's subtle about what I said is that it meant to be ironic. Too subtle, I guess, mea culpa.

The point is, race does "matter" in the sense that Obama's candidacy is a historic first, and says a lot about the decrease in racial awareness. But polls show that, what, 5% still would never vote for a black?

The fact is that I also think he'll make a great president, (certainly an articulate one) and I agree with his positions.

"Nor is their demographic middle or lower income people, people of color or small business owners."

"You say that - but thats exactly the people who provide the extra votes needed that got them into power."

Not non-whites, surely? I believe I saw a statistic that Bush only got 12% of their votes? And there were hardly any non-whites in the convention.

Posted by: cmu at September 5, 2008 4:05 PM

Well non-whites are a pretty big group. Take asians - they have the highest household income of any group so i'm sure plenty vote republican. If you mean blacks and hispanics, I confess I don't know the stats.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 4:27 PM

If I remember, the Republican party got a large part of the Hispanic vote. The majority of Jews still (yea!) vote democratic. I can't remember hearing one way or another about how Asians will vote but I think that there are so many other issues involved, the Asian vote can't really be called jst on the basis of household income.

In any case, when a republican senator can call Obama "uppity" and the party tries to claim there's no racial overtones, it's no surprise they are such a monolithic group.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 4:41 PM

here we go mixing religion and race.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 4:53 PM

I prefer to use the cuisinart for that myself.

But when it comes to my people, confusion reigns. I've read the ultra orthodox believe we are a race to be preserved by intermmarriage with those of "proven" bloodlines. I'm uncomfortable with that- it was used against us in Germany, now I don't see where if we weren't a race then, how did we become one now? For me, it's my religion and my cultural identity within my American one. As a voting bloc, well, as I say- yea!

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 5:18 PM

I'm sorry, I don't find Palin to be particularly attractive. I didn't find her attractive even in her beauty queen shot. Too bimbo-ish. Michelle, otho, I could spend time with her.

I find McCain to be a decent person, altho I don't plan to vote for him. I have a one big issue with him, which is that he refused to learn about computers. Not the kind of interested flexible thinking you'd want from a President. I have several big issues with her of course, but the fact she's never been out of the country except for some politically motivated tour of Kuwait bothers me greatly.

Posted by: denton at September 5, 2008 5:38 PM

I don't think the ethiopian jews would consider themselves white.

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 5:43 PM

"I find McCain to be a decent person"

denton, I don't know about that. He had an affair on his first wife, supports a war that's killed civilians in the 6 figures, "has called opponents and colleagues "shitheads," "assholes" and in at least one case "a fucking jerk."", called his current wife a trollop and a cunt, etc.

Posted by: Biff Champion at September 5, 2008 5:52 PM

dittoburg- ya think?

Which just goes to prove my point we're a religion and actually many different cultures. What was your point?

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 6:06 PM

From HuffPost: "Bush voters generally were significantly more married (12 million more); protestant evangelicals (16 million more); people with annual income exceeding $50,000 (9 million more); and living in households owning guns (15 million more) than Kerry voters. (These numbers are derived from exit polls conducted by the broadcast networks and are the only, albeit imperfect, source of information on the demographics of voting)"

"These specific demographic groups - white, married, avid gun owning, devoutly and politically religious, with incomes over $50,000 - were the bedrock of the Republican Presidential electoral majority in 2004."

Posted by: cmu at September 5, 2008 7:07 PM

Biff, I never heard about the affair, but he also voted against Bush tax cuts and waterboarding, and got in trouble for stating he didn't understand how you could fight a war without a tax increase. Supporting the war makes him wrong but not necessarily a bad person. The fact that many rabid right conservatives don't like him either helps my argument :-)

Are you saying you've never called anyone any of those epithets? I have. Altho I've never called my wife those things, even after 33 years of being together. Then again, if she had me on a pre-nup like that I might, lol.

cmu, I fit all those categories except religious and the only 'publican I ever voted for was Bloomberg!

Posted by: denton at September 5, 2008 7:37 PM

Lies, damn lies and statistics...

McCain's affair, fwiw, was when his wife was either in hospital or recovering from a disfiguring car accident. Cindy supposedly "set her cap" at him and soon he was involved with her.
http://www.kitv.com/politics/17374494/detail.html

And where in the world is Vicki Iseman?

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/02/21/what-we-actually-know-about-mccain-and-iseman.aspx

Posted by: cmu at September 5, 2008 8:43 PM

Silly Dems and Libs:

-No new attacks on our homeland since 9/11, and it's not like they haven't tried.
-POSITIVE growth in our economy for the entire Bush presidency. Sorry, it's the facts Jack.
-Unprecedented economic/suportive aid to the entire world: be it the AIDS- in- Africa initiative or the Tsunami relief or creation/support of new democratic nations. that's a good thing to those of us who aren't annoying Marxists.
-Decimation of al quaeda on several fronts on the war against radical islam; including Somalia (where Clinton ran away).Al quaeda, by their own words, have been humilated and defeated on their self proclaimed major battlefront (Iraq)
-Highest homeownership level in history. (that's a good thing to those of you who aren't annoying Marxists.)Notwithstanding the pull back in housing currently underway which is consistent with past peaks in economic sectors.
-Lowest average unemployment rate in modern American history. Lower than the 60's, the 70's, the 80's and yes the Clinton 90's. (look it up)
-Loss of popularity around the globe you say? by whose standards? The conniving Russians? The maniacal Iranians? The cagey Chinese? The drug traffiking Venezuelans? The backstabbing French? By the way, many nations have elected more conservative governments like the aforementioned French, the Canadians, the British, etc.
-oh and by the way, we WON in Iraq, the Iraqis have a self sustaining democratic government. The NYTimes forgot to do a cover story on the recent handover of the most war torn part of Iraq to the Iraqi national forces, and plans for a phased withdrawal of US forces are underway.
-Go McCain/Palin.

P.S.: the difference between a conservative like myself and you boorish liberals, is that I would not run away from my nation should the opposing party win an election. I would get back to work and trust in the democratic process. Not cry and whine like a little girl. I respect the Obama/Biden ticket. That's the difference.

P.P.S. That chica is smokin'. God bless America.

Posted by: Legion at September 8, 2008 8:30 AM

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