Of those who serve, there are two types of people in this world: those who serve when called, and those who won't stop calling asking to serve.
BACKSTORY: Seeing as how a commenter has managed to convince Tom Maguire to hand over the keys to the kingdom, that story will be placed in the comments. Rumors of a grand coup may or may not be overstated, but let me just say (teaser alert!) . . . well, you'll have to go to the comments.
Here's the story: Tom has, let's call them "things"*, that may prevent him from posting as often as usual. We've certainly noticed that in the past few weeks, with 3 of the top 5 most commented threads in JOM history happening over that time, a result of the length of time between new posts more than anything else.
As I have done on several other occasions for various reasons, I reached out to Tom via email to offer to put up "Open Threads" when he is away. He answered and graciously accepted my offer.
There is no Obama-like fundamental change coming to JOM.
Tom did say I could have some fun and go beyond Open Threads. However, we can all agree that he was wise to counsel me not to "run TOO amok". My amok is too much amok for most, and no one needs that much amok on the front page.
So, enjoy the inaugrual hit and run Open Thread.
Oh, and First! Who wants to compete with me on that now?
--------------------
*If Tom wants he can share any details, but speculation and (especially!) worry or panic is really not a useful expenditure of our time.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 22, 2015 at 12:09 PM
"inaugrual"
Your typos are a calming influence in this time of frightful change.
Posted by: henry | March 22, 2015 at 12:14 PM
First!!!
Posted by: boatbuilder | March 22, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Hit, I hope you'll remember those who knew you before you became famous (er).
Posted by: Walter | March 22, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Hordes run amok.
Posted by: He should know. | March 22, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Posted by hit and run? Looks like I picked a bad year to give up drugs. ;)
Posted by: Beasts of England | March 22, 2015 at 12:17 PM
http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2015/03/traditional-change-that-was-afoot-has-now-alit-sunday-afternoon-open-thread/comments/page/99/#comments
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 22, 2015 at 12:17 PM
Dammit henry...
Thanks for taking the initiative, hit. Those endless threads were getting old.
Posted by: boatbuilder | March 22, 2015 at 12:17 PM
Congratulations Hit!
A well deserved honor, IMO.
Will you be posting the last page link from here on out?
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 22, 2015 at 12:20 PM
Hit, first! Is just too 2012.
Posted by: Lazybusy | March 22, 2015 at 12:20 PM
Remember, you were always my favorite!
Posted by: clarice | March 22, 2015 at 12:23 PM
My amok is too much amok for most,
This.
Posted by: GMax | March 22, 2015 at 12:27 PM
There goes the neighborhood.
Posted by: Uncle Festus | March 22, 2015 at 12:30 PM
Hit and run amok!
Posted by: lyle | March 22, 2015 at 12:32 PM
While it is true and oft stated that OL does not like change.
This IS a change I can believe in wholeheartedly!
If I am reading the news correctly, Tom will post his thoughts and egg us on when he can and when the spirit moves him...and Hit can as well and Hit can also keep the trains moving.
What's not to love about that?
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 22, 2015 at 12:40 PM
Sounds like when the Sovs announced that a member of the Politburo was on vacation. We'll know for sure when H&R announces that he has assumed the title of Chairman of Presidium of Supreme JOMiet!
OK, H&R, great to have JOM in the hands of a great trustee. While TM is attending to his things, please keep the following in mind:
(i) Opening Day is coming up, so it's time for a Yankees/Mets thread that includes a gratuitous shot at the Bosox.
(ii) TM wouldn't mind the occasional thread based on a NY Times article, especially if said thread tweaks Prof Krugman.
(iii) TM never was never a big poster on pool, so here's your chance to corect that!
Now, to JOMers who have never met H&R in person, as I have had the pleasure of doing: Notwithstanding his occasional attempts to convince us otherwise, H&R is a sober, responsible person. JOM is in great hands while TM attends to his matters.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 22, 2015 at 12:40 PM
Lyle "Hit and Run Amock" has a nice ring to it.
I think we have christened "HAMRA"
Hey HAMRA...we have some thoughts for you...
:-)
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 22, 2015 at 12:42 PM
HARA I mean....don't know where that M came from...
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 22, 2015 at 12:43 PM
H&R is a sober, responsible person.
To the extent that is possible in an IT person. However he did go straight to a pool table after I met him.
Posted by: henry | March 22, 2015 at 12:44 PM
... sober...?
I must have met an imposter!
Posted by: Walter | March 22, 2015 at 12:44 PM
We are still in good hands.
Posted by: Danube on iPad | March 22, 2015 at 12:46 PM
Hit,
I'm looking forward to your exploration of the Taube's nutritional theorem. TM's cursory analysis begs for a more complete and detailed explication of potential benefits.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | March 22, 2015 at 12:53 PM
Well pluck a duck, the south's done rose again. Happy, happy, happy.
Posted by: Sue | March 22, 2015 at 01:01 PM
Will HARA have banning authority? Comments moderation?
Posted by: Jack is Back! | March 22, 2015 at 01:05 PM
Hit's doing posts now? TCFAB!
Hey, it's after 5 in Europe...
Posted by: Eric in Boise | March 22, 2015 at 01:05 PM
Does this mean that the masthead should change from "Ebola? Remain Calm and Wash Your Hands" to "Hit and Run? Remain Calm and Hide Your Chainsaw."
Posted by: JeanD | March 22, 2015 at 01:05 PM
henry:
Your typos are a calming influence in this time of frightful change.
Oh no. The JOM style guide has never before considered a scenario in which a commenter could go back and correct typos after the fact.
Which I have now...
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 22, 2015 at 01:08 PM
TK:
Will you be posting the last page link from here on out?
Oh, yes! Hadn't even thought of that.
Future posts will include it.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 22, 2015 at 01:11 PM
>>>Will HARA have banning authority? Comments moderation?
I hope not. And I hope we don't expect him to.
Posted by: Sue | March 22, 2015 at 01:14 PM
"Which I have now..."
Initiation of despotism usually takes a little longer than 62 minutes.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | March 22, 2015 at 01:14 PM
You people are nice people, by they way. I take back most of what I've said about you in the past.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 22, 2015 at 01:14 PM
Hit, what does the style guide say about the proper sequence of beer & panic? If you correct your typos I will do both.
Posted by: henry | March 22, 2015 at 01:14 PM
TCFAB!
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 01:19 PM
rich! You won JOM yesterday, btw...
Although "taking over" is an overstatement - I couldn't believe you nailed it just like that. My WHOA at 3:21 was in response to your comment...
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 22, 2015 at 01:24 PM
Glad to hear you are OK, Mr. Maguire, and good luck with this awesome responsibility, Mr. hit. Like being asked to land a 747 because the pilot has passed out.
Posted by: peter | March 22, 2015 at 01:26 PM
hit-for the record you did accurately describe a first cousin once removed on the previous thread. It gets taught, or used to, as part of trust and estates in law school. First, second or 3rd cousins are always the same number of generations away from the common ancestor.
Second cousins have a common great grandparent. Third great great. Once removed is a common relationship to the same grandparent but from different generations.
I live in an area with plenty of second and third cousins and used to be asked to explain who was who at family reunions since my grandmother was the last to survive of 9 children. She was the reason the first cousins would still get together with their own children because she was the last surviving link to the common grandparents. My mom is the same now.
Posted by: rse | March 22, 2015 at 01:26 PM
Yankees are losing already, by the way, and oh yeah, I hate the Red Sox. Did you know that Josh Beckett, who tormented the Yankees for years, is now retired due to a hip injury?
Posted by: peter | March 22, 2015 at 01:28 PM
Excellent (what else?) Clarice's Pieces today. At the LUN, the link to the Jacobsen piece about the media distortions of Bibi's remarks.
Posted by: peter | March 22, 2015 at 01:30 PM
The full extent of my new found powers shall remain shrouded in mystery.
Posted by: Jeff Dobbs | March 22, 2015 at 01:30 PM
rse,
I thought that was JamesD on 1st cousins once remioved. I may be wrong, though.
Evidently, Bibi doesn't have as sharp a crease in his pants like Obama and he's also Nixonian in a negative way. Yeah, its Brooksie. Is there no way to rid us of this nettlesome man?
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/david-brooks-netanyahu-is-nixonian-mostly-in-the-negative-way/
Posted by: Jack is Back! | March 22, 2015 at 01:33 PM
thanks to DrJ for the Wrechard link this morning ...
http://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2015/03/22/losing-yemen/
>>>There must be something there and foreign policy gurus strain their eyes and cudgel their brains trying to figure out what it is. Yet if we cast our eyes forward, it would not be surprising if the day after his stupendous “deal” nothing whatsoever changes except that Tehran goes on cheating. The great roll of drum fanfare will have culminated a low whistle like air being let out of a balloon.
Was that it? Yup. The one thing we can be certain of is that he would take that lack of evident benefit on the day after with total equanimity, as if surprised to think anyone but rubes should want a material outcome from his diplomacy. Suppose it’s about some act of “becoming” a normal nation? Don’t laugh. Then what? That is why Michael Doran and the rest are having such trouble figuring out the administration’s game plan. Because they think it’s about something. None of them have considered the possibility that its about nothing at all.<<<
Seinfeld diplomacy. It's an agreement about nothing. What a terrifying thought.
I still don't get the point of administration deadlines either but then I suppose I'm in good company by not understanding what the administration is doing.
hit-
ha ...
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 01:34 PM
HARA: "The full extent of my new found powers shall remain shrouded in mystery."
Sounds like being married to me.
Posted by: Old Lurker | March 22, 2015 at 01:35 PM
>>>Initiation of despotism usually takes a little longer than 62 minutes.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | March 22, 2015 at 01:14 PM<<<
Hit will be a benevolent dictator ... right? Maybe.
TCFAB!!!
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 01:36 PM
can't believe that I guessed it right out the gate either.
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 01:38 PM
Attention All Planets of the Solar Federation ... We Have Assumed Control.
Posted by: Skoot | March 22, 2015 at 01:39 PM
Have to admit I'm somewhat amazed and appalled at the phlegmatism and subservience displayed at the prospect of a man whose own blog is entitled VIMH ascending to the summit of Mount JOM.I for one welcome our new insect overlord.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | March 22, 2015 at 01:40 PM
OL at 1:35: that's hilarious!
Posted by: lyle | March 22, 2015 at 01:41 PM
JeanD
I like your masthead idea Congrats Hit
Clarice Absolutely excellent article today and the comments are wonderful
Posted by: maryrose | March 22, 2015 at 01:45 PM
JIB
Brooks is is just miffed that his Wonder Boy Hussen Obama got his keister handed to him by Netanyahu
Posted by: maryrose | March 22, 2015 at 01:48 PM
Thanks
Posted by: clarice | March 22, 2015 at 01:50 PM
Oh, good!
It's my favorite type of change, the one where I don't have to do anything!
Thanks for assuming such awesome responsibilities, hit! I know you will do a great job!
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 22, 2015 at 01:51 PM
"H&R is a sober, responsible person"
Just keep him away from the chainsaw.
Posted by: boatbuilder | March 22, 2015 at 01:52 PM
Please no food or diet threads
Posted by: maryrose | March 22, 2015 at 01:52 PM
Hey guys, I think I'll be meeting up with Man Tran in a couple hours.
Go Terps!
Posted by: Captain Hate on the iPhone | March 22, 2015 at 01:54 PM
Will the new h&r promulgated rules disallow my commenting on Jen Psaki's ample bosum? I need to know. Thanks.
Posted by: lyle | March 22, 2015 at 01:54 PM
enjoyed your Pieces this morning with my coffee.
and Cecil just cuts through it all and gets right to the point. Sad day that a besotted US has to hope that France is the sober one in the room.
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 01:55 PM
sounds like a fantastic meet up CH.
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 01:56 PM
this is just what we need
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/03/21/democrats-need-elizabeth-warren-voice-presidential-race/TJkJtbu3UYaJYBmVHcrAcI/story.html
>>>Democrats would be making a big mistake if they let Hillary Clinton coast to the presidential nomination without real opposition, and, as a national leader, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren can make sure that doesn’t happen. While Warren has repeatedly vowed that she won’t run for president herself, she ought to reconsider. And if Warren sticks to her refusal, she should make it her responsibility to help recruit candidates to provide voters with a vigorous debate on her signature cause, reducing income inequality, over the next year. <<<
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 02:00 PM
Lyle, post some pictures and test him.
Posted by: Threadkiller | March 22, 2015 at 02:01 PM
If I only knew how, TK. I'm a techno-foal. I rely on the kindness of internet friends. Hint, hint...
Posted by: lyle | March 22, 2015 at 02:06 PM
I propose taking $270,000 of Elizabeth Warren's salary for teaching ONE class and dividing it up amongst 10 random professors throughout the United States who teach 3 or more courses.
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 22, 2015 at 02:07 PM
U.Va. in trouble with three minutes left
Posted by: peter | March 22, 2015 at 02:08 PM
not sure we want to "test" hit right out the gate like that ...
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 02:12 PM
Rich, that was one of three rumpswabbings of Running Rabbit in today's Ideas section of El Globo. I'm convinced Lizzie is putting out smoke signals to her supporters in progland that she wants to run.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 22, 2015 at 02:12 PM
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | March 22, 2015 at 02:13 PM
Great news, Hit!
Posted by: pagar | March 22, 2015 at 02:14 PM
Why not, rich? They're the only thing remotely interesting about her.
Posted by: lyle | March 22, 2015 at 02:16 PM
GMax is cheering ...
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 02:16 PM
--If I only knew how, TK. I'm a techno-foal. I rely on the kindness of internet friends. Hint, hint...--
I gave it a shot but to be honest my heart just wasn't in it. Something about that gob is disheartening.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | March 22, 2015 at 02:16 PM
Brünnhilde is getting ready off stage
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 02:18 PM
I am thinking that Ted Cruz will make an excellent lightning rod for all the media derangement, may inure to Walker's benefit
Posted by: peter | March 22, 2015 at 02:19 PM
Thanks, maryrose!
Other than her hectoring prowess, does Warren have any credentials at all?
Posted by: JeanD | March 22, 2015 at 02:20 PM
"Something about that gob is disheartening."
The realization that there are more functional neurons in her mammaries than in her cerebrum?
Posted by: Rick Ballard | March 22, 2015 at 02:20 PM
Virginia Cavaliers eliminated.
Posted by: peter | March 22, 2015 at 02:21 PM
Way to take one for the team, Ig.
Posted by: lyle | March 22, 2015 at 02:21 PM
Virginia is for
LoversLosers.Posted by: daddy | March 22, 2015 at 02:21 PM
Initiation of despotism usually takes a little longer than 62 minutes.
If you're going to do something, ypu at as well do it right.
Posted by: James D. | March 22, 2015 at 02:22 PM
Tom Izzo for President! This was a very flawed team but the magician managed them to the Sweet 16 AGAIN, knocking off number 2 Virginia who I dont think every lead...
Posted by: GMax | March 22, 2015 at 02:23 PM
Brooks is is just miffed
Well, it IS a day that ends in "y"
Posted by: James D. | March 22, 2015 at 02:24 PM
Wretchard: Losing Yemen
Posted by: daddy | March 22, 2015 at 02:25 PM
I forgot they were reburying Richard III today, and I missed it. I will have to wait until I can find it on BBC or YouTube. Grrr.
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 22, 2015 at 02:26 PM
Thanks for the cousin answer!
I don't know why I can never remember that.
Posted by: James D. | March 22, 2015 at 02:27 PM
JeanD-
none that I can tell although she at least has some papers with her name on them. She also gets her funding from some place more loathsome than Wall Street banks ... Wall Street lawyers.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/296227/elizabeth-warrens-wall-street-money-machine-kevin-d-williamson
corporate welfare too
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/394635/its-still-tarp-kevin-d-williamson
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 02:28 PM
Here is one of Jen Psaki's boobs;

her beyond geeky hubby Greg Meecher, some Dem congressional fluffer.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | March 22, 2015 at 02:29 PM
clever iggy, clever.
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 02:30 PM
Since this is Hit's "inaugrual" Post at JOM, let me be the first to go all Fibonacci and post the requisite link to some gorgeous Hammers!
Posted by: daddy | March 22, 2015 at 02:36 PM
Spike Lee, uber-racist, on the CBS set. Fortunately, Mozart is all I can hear.
Posted by: lyle | March 22, 2015 at 02:37 PM
Posted by: Thomas Collins | March 22, 2015 at 02:12 PM -
lol ... figures.
smoke signals ... can't stop laughing at that.
Posted by: rich@gmu | March 22, 2015 at 02:37 PM
Best of luck on finding your way to the meet up, CH. XOXO
Posted by: clarice | March 22, 2015 at 02:38 PM
No criminals will be removed from the street in Ferguson under this plan, IMO.
http://www.independentsentinel.com/ferguson-pds-federal-takeover-led-by-a-radical-leftist-who-wants-all-drugs-legalized/?utm_content=buffer9b924&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Posted by: pagar | March 22, 2015 at 02:44 PM
Slow night in Chicago!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-weekend-city-shootings-20150321-story.html
http://heyjackass.com/enlightening-commentary/safe-passage-shooter/
Posted by: pagar | March 22, 2015 at 02:51 PM
On the FOX panel I am really enjoying the looks on the faces of Judy Woodruff when Laura Ingraham is talking, and likewise the look on Ingraham's face when Woodruff is talking.
My skills in face-reading tell me that Woodruff thinks Ingraham is an unsophisticated, right wing neanderthal, and Ingraham thinks Woodruff is an NPR imbecile.
And Bob Woodward is clueless.
Decent job by Chris Wallace in trying to get Woodward to discuss the Obama relationship with Israel instead of allowing him to bloviate about whatever the heck he thinks about Iran.
Posted by: daddy | March 22, 2015 at 02:59 PM
But Hit... It's March...
Posted by: Jane | March 22, 2015 at 03:01 PM
rich, thanks for those links. It amazes me that anyone could view this woman as a credible candidate for any office. But, I understand MM's point about Warren's ability to sell herself as a kindly hero of the middle class and downtrodden. Sometimes the disconnect just scares me.
Posted by: JeanD | March 22, 2015 at 03:06 PM
Hey Man Tran, Convince the Hates to come to Alaska.
Posted by: Jane | March 22, 2015 at 03:06 PM
Just a link as reminder that there are important Elections in France today: FRANCE’S FRONT NATIONAL EXPECTED TO WIN FIRST ELECTION AFTER HEBDO ATTACK
Socialist President Francois Hollande is expected to sink in the polls, he is now one of the least popular French leaders ever. Unless he can turn around his party’s fortunes soon they will lose the Presidency.
Posted by: daddy | March 22, 2015 at 03:09 PM
JeanD,
I have been watching her since my sister said she was interested in reading her book, based on seeing her talk about her life on a talk show.
I managed to convince my sister she's a wolf in sheep's clothing, but I can't talk to everyone! LOL!
I think she would attract a certain number of the electorate who are convinced that the reason they don't have money is because someone else does. I do not discount envy as a motivating force in much of the voting public.
I still say that pointing out her high salary at Harvard was a contributing factor to the high tuition she decries is a winning issue.
Also, why was she at Harvard instead of some state university where she could mentor struggling middle class kids?
Posted by: Miss Marple | March 22, 2015 at 03:40 PM
The NYT actually has an interesting article (!) on how Kodak is trying to remake itself:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/business/at-kodak-clinging-to-a-future-beyond-film.html?smid=li-share&_r=0
I didn't know that Kodak still have $2 billion a year in sales, though that is way down from the $15 to $20 billion a year when I was there.
Posted by: DrJ | March 22, 2015 at 04:00 PM
Only the finest of Chicago politics: (WSJ)
Posted by: DrJ | March 22, 2015 at 04:02 PM
This caught my eye:
Original:
Update:
Posted by: daddy | March 22, 2015 at 04:05 PM