Open Thread–5/14/2011

I hope everyone had Mine was uneventful as expected, but busy.  Today promises to be busy as well, as I try to get next week’s tasks done early.  I’m current on replies.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:50 (average 4:50).  To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: The enormous cache of computer files taken from Osama bin Laden’s compound contained a considerable quantity of pornographic videos, American officials said on Friday, adding a discordant note to the public image of the Islamist militant who long denounced the West for its lax sexual mores.

Now that’s a good indication that extreme right wing pseudo-Muslims are no different than extreme right wing pseudo-Christians.

From Slate Magazine: "I’m asking you to stand with me once more and to play a vital role in my next race as I consider my options of running for reelection to the House or seeking higher office," she writes. "If you want me to continue fighting the big-government Obama agenda in the U.S. House of Representatives, please make a generous donation of $25. If you want me to seek the Presidency, please make a donation of $50 or even $100 to let me know I can count on you." [Michelle Bachmann]

Am I the only one that thinks Batshit B is sounding just like Obtuse Angle.

From Right Wing Watch: Over the last decade, Milwaukee has been a laboratory for private school vouchers, and the results have been poor: numerous studies have shown that vouchers failed to make any difference in student performance. Just like in Washington, DC and Cleveland, private school vouchers in Milwaukee failed to produce the gains their supporters promised as students, with students in the Milwaukee voucher program actually performing worse than comparable public school students.

But now Republican Gov. Scott Walker wants to expand the ineffective voucher program while cutting funds to public schools. And so much for the emphasis on testing — voucher students will now be exempted from the tests that revealed the program’s failure.

That’s an investment in the 10,000 year Republican Reich.

Cartoon:

To save Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, drop all Republicans from the roles, since they don’t want it.  (That was not intended to be a factual statement).