Open Thread–7/24/2011

Yesterday I rested, but a new heat wave kept me from getting the sleep I needed.  The temperature in my apartment just dropped to 90° at midnight.  I get the weather first up here, so you know that when I bitch about the heat, it’s coming your way.  I’m current on replies.  Tomorrow, I’ll be hunkering down, as it will be hotter.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:55 (average 4:44).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Bloomberg: Republicans challenged a presidential veto threat by preparing for a short-term extension of the U.S. debt limit, hardening partisan differences in the face of warnings that a stalemate risks roiling financial markets as soon as tonight.

I remember, “Don’t touch the stove or you’ll get burned.”  I did.  The difference is that I grew up.

From Politico: Rep. David Wu spoke to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other top Democrats on Saturday about his political future in the wake of allegations of a sexual encounter with a teenager, but it is not clear whether the Oregon Democrat will step down from office.

Wu has been accused of having an “unwanted sexual encounter” with the teenage daughter of a longtime friend last year over Thanksgiving weekend. The teenager, whose identity has not been disclosed, and her family have not filed any criminal complaint against the longtime lawmaker, but the incident, the second accusation of inappropriate sexual behavior against Wu, is “extremely troubling” to Pelosi and other Democrats, say Democratic insiders.

This upsets me, because Wu is my Rep.  This will finish him, and if true, it is right that it will.  It’s especially sad, because his voting record was almost an exact match to what I wanted.

From Alternet: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing this week on the "Respect for Marriage Act," a bill that would essential nullify the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that Clinton signed into law 1996. The federal prohibition means that same-sex couples—even those who live in states where their unions have been legalized—are not given the same federal protections as heterosexual pairs. They aren’t allowed to take tax write-offs or family leave, and if a same-sex spouse dies, the partner can’t collect their pension or Social Security.

I fully support this legislation.

Cartoon: