Open Thread–4/15/2011

Yesterday I had lots of prep work to do for my volunteer work.  I’m up to date with comments.  Today, I need to rest in advance, because I host a CoDA group tonight, and will be out until the time I normally begin my research.  Therefore tomorrow’s articles may be late, abbreviated, or both.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 2:53 (4:08 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:en

From Boston Globe: Congress voted yesterday to keep the government financed through September, putting an end to a raucous first skirmish in this year’s showdown between Democrats and Republicans over federal spending while presaging bigger ones to come.

Scores of House Republicans deserted their leadership to vote against the bill, which cut $38 billion in spending, saying it did not go far enough. As a result, Speaker John A. Boehner was forced to rely on large numbers of Democrats to pass the measure, which subsequently sailed through the Senate, 81 to 19.

My Rep., David Wu, and one Senator, Ron Wyden, voted against it. Sadly, my other Senator, Jeff Merkley, voted for it.

From FOK News Channel: The First Guess: Lying About the Civil War

How I love that man!

From Alternet: US President Barack Obama accused Republicans of wanting to turn the United States into a “Third World” country as he rallied support for his reelection campaign.

Good!  With rhetoric, albeit truthful, like this, he can’t cave-in without getting “you too” thrown in his face.

Cartoon:

TGIF! (That was intended to be a factual statement.)

It will not be Good Friday until there are no Republicans in office.