Open Thread – 10/9/2010

Yesterday dawn found me outside Oregon State Penitentiary.  For the first time in almost three years, one of the members of our 7th Step group there was released.  Danny went to prison a year before I did and has been there for twenty one years.  I knew him well and have watched the work he has done to change and learn to become a good citizen.  I felt proud to be the first to shake his free hand.  I spent the rest of the day helping him get done all the things he needed to do.  Needless to say, I’m worn out.  I probably should not have gone, but there is no way in hell that I was going to miss this.  I’m hoping to be back to speed by Monday.

Jig Zone Puzzle: Today it took me 3:29.  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Lefty Bloggers Plus:

Players don’t forget to set your lineups for this weekends games.

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: In an interview with the National Review, Alaska GOP Senate candidate Joe Miller said that if Republicans take over in November, they might shut down the government.

He claims to have support from Bitch McConnell in this endeavor.  They have zero concern for the suffering such a move will cause.

From Bloomberg: Attorneys general in about 40 states may announce by next week a joint investigation into potentially faulty foreclosures at the largest banks and mortgage firms, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

As much as I support this move, we need a federal investigation as well.

From Right Wing Watch: I am used to seeing right-wing leaders claim that gay marriage or abortion or atheism or voting Democratic or what-have-you will destroy America … but I have never an explanation quite like the one Rick Santorum gave to World Magazine about how health care reform will destroy the US by forcing massive cuts in military spending, just like "the left" always wanted.

Frankly, we need massive reordering of military spending to transform our military from a cold war force to a 21st century force.  If that includes a cut in spending, bravo, but repairing our military from its over-deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan will be costly.  HCR will have nothing to do with it.  Santorum is lying.  That’s what Republicans do.

Cartoon: from Cagle.com

Have a great weekend!