Yesterday and for the past several days, I have felt like something I wanted to bury in the deepest corner of my kitty box. A nasty upper respiratory infection exacerbated my COPD to the extent that I have been literally flat on my back and largely away from my computer for all but the most necessary tasks. I am still well short of full strength, but I shall try to return on a limited basis. I’m current on replies, just to the extent of saying thank you. Today I have a month’s groceries being delivered, and putting them away is a task that drains me during the best of times, so if I go missing tomorrow, don’t be surprised. I have missed you all and am grateful to you for your patience.
Jig Zone Puzzles:
Date My Time Average Time To Do Link
11/11 3:59 5:00 Click here
11/12 3:50 3:56 Click here
11/13 4:47 4:41 Click here
11/14 3:35 5:12 Click here
11/15 4:21 5:39 Click here
11/16 4:29 5:26 Click here
11/17 4:06 4:51 Click here
11/18 4:07 4:29 Click here
11/19 5:58 6:05 Click here
11/20 4:26 5:45 Click here
11/21 4:17 4:53 Click here
Double Religious Ecstasy:
Fantasy Football Report:
Scores:
TomCat Teabag Trashers
Texans Will Rise Again
84.18
57.82
Progressive Underdogs
ManOnDogSantorum
122.44
141.16
Playing without a helmet
hugos renegades
143.40
78.08
Standings:
Points
Rank
Team Name
W-L-T
Pct
Streak
Waiver
For
Against
1 (1)
Progressive Underdogs
8-2-0
.800
L1
6
1194.46
1047.50
2 (2)
TomCat Teabag Trashers
6-4-0
.600
W4
5
1155.70
1036.48
3 (3)
ManOnDogSantorum
6-4-0
.600
W1
4
1146.78
1060.40
4 (4)
hugos renegades
5-5-0
.500
L1
3
1116.24
1072.88
5 (5)
Playing without a helmet
5-5-0
.500
W1
2
1101.22
1004.42
6 (6)
Texans Will Rise Again
0-10-0
.000
L10
1
724.02
1216.74
My fortunes continue to rise, but today, my team is playing Rob, and losing.
Short Takes:
From ABC: A California university placed two of its police officers on administrative leave Sunday because of their involvement in the pepper spraying of passively sitting protesters, while the school’s chancellor accelerated an investigation into the incident amid calls for her resignation.
Officials at the University of California, Davis refused to identify the two officers but one was a veteran of many years on the force and other "fairly new" to the department, the school’s Police Chief Annette Spicuzza told The Associated Press. She would not elaborate further because of the pending probe.
I have to wonder whether or not the university officials were in on it.
From Business Week: Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the deficit-cutting supercommittee said they’re still aiming for a last-ditch agreement even as one of the panel’s leaders voiced doubts about an accord by a Nov. 23 deadline.
The supercommittee faces a “daunting challenge” as its 12 members seek to bridge gulfs over taxes and spending, Representative Jeb Hensarling of Texas, the Republican co- chairman, said today. Time is running out for a plan to carve at least $1.2 trillion out of the federal budget, he said.
The panel has been deadlocked over income-tax increases, with Democrats seeking tax increases on high earners while Republicans push for extending tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush. Another sticking point is Republican calls for cuts, over Democrats’ opposition, in entitlement programs such as Medicare.
The best possible thing that can happen here is an impasse. Democrats went much too far attempting to reach agreement with Republicans.
From MoveOn.org: Scott Walker is at it again.
Isn’t it frustrating that US media have ignored this story?
Cartoon: (about a week and a half out of date)
18 Responses to “Open Thread–11/21/2011”
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Sorry to hear you’ve been so ill. I hope you recover soon.
Thanks Jack. I’m working on it.
So very sorry you were so sick– you take care of yourself Tom—- Look forward to your writing again — but meantime I am just glad to have heard from you– was really concerned dear man–
Thanks, Phyllis. I appreciate that.
Hi TomCat. Glad you’re back and feeling a little better. Now take it easy so there are no relapses.
You got me addicted to jigzone so I’ve been doing the daily puzzles. Today’s time was 4:14
congrats on your second place standing in the fantasy football league.
For your edification: The officer who sprayed the students was UC Davis Police Lt. John Pike at (530) 752-3989 or japikeiii@ucdavis.edu. We won’t mind if you get in touch with him (hint, hint). This was posted on Moveon.org.
RepublicanTs in Wisconsin cheating? They’re damn felons!
Thanks Patty! I will as much as I can.
You beat me.
I got my butt kicked this week.
I wouldn’t encourage calling the man’s home. While he certainly deserves the harassment, his family does not.
By definition!
We’ve been keeping watch. Glad that you’re back part-time. Don’t rush it. Get fully recovered first.
I don’t think calling the policeman is a good idead. It’ll only give a sympathy vote from right-wingers. See how awful!!! Yeah, right. But we should take the high road, not emulate the right’s unconscionable actions. Okay, I’d go with the burning bag of dog doo-doo on the porch.
Thanks Marva. I’m trying. 🙂
I agree.
Cartoon is apropriate if you change the context to ‘flushing Scott walker down the tube’. What’s the difference between Scott Walker and tarsands oil? Walker’s more toxic and environmently unfriendly! Actually heard about the threats to destroy recall petitions late Saturday in our news. If there are petitions destroyed, I think Walker should be held accountable in a court of law for the actions of his supporters as he is doing nothing to support the democratic process, as well as the perpetrators being held accountable in a court of law. He’s acting like the Teflon Man and that has to end!
Last I heard was that the chancellor of UC Davis was not resigning over the over the top pepper spray incident. Personally, the Chief of Police and the 2 officers should be dismissed forthwith. As to the chancellor, I don’t know the politics at the school, but if she had anything to do with it, then ‘bye, bye!’.
“The panel has been deadlocked over income-tax increases, with Democrats seeking tax increases on high earners while Republicans push for extending tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush. Another sticking point is Republican calls for cuts, over Democrats’ opposition, in entitlement programs such as Medicare.”
So the obstructionist Republican/Teabaggers want to extend the Bush tax cuts rather than anteing up a small tax, what was it .7% on income over $1 million! That stance takes them further away from the Democrats. And then to make cuts to medicare, which if I remember correctly is the medical for those over 65, when the recipients are on fixed incomes and statistically more likely to require medical care. They are no more willing to work with the Democrats than fly to the moon without a spacesuit. I added the spacesuit into it because I am convinced that the Republican/Teabaggers are so into Manifest Destiny that they would likely declare the moon an American protectorate, if not the 51st state!
Thanks Lynn!
The cartoon was about Keystone XL being on hold until 2013.
All four should go.
Exactly!
I know the cartoon is about the protest around the WH re the Keystone XL. You were concerned that it was out of date. My suggestion was simply a way to make it more relevant today since Walker’s recall officially starts at 12:01 am 22/11/11. You should know well enough now — I’m a little bit weird in the humour department!
That’s a DUH award for me!! 😉
I saw the tape of the police spraying those students – it was horrifying to watch.
So glad you are feeling better!
As far as this Super Committee is concerned – the Repubs are acting exactly as I imagined they would. They just can’t stand the though of the rich paying more than the extra 4.5%, or as we all know it as the Clinton rates. As far as entitlements are concerned, nothing would make them happier to eliminate them all.
Are the Repubs that desperate as to shred the petitions they don’t like? Maybe we should have them give the petitions to the police when they are done canvassing. Just to ensure the integrity of the process, I think the people doing the canvassing should do this. Otherwise, they could face some serious jail time as a felon, but, if the petitions are shredded, how are the police going to know if the documents are shredded or not?
So did I, and it was.
Thanks!
Exactly!
It would be damn hard to prove, unless several people were to sign affidavits that they signed petitions from someone they could identify.
“Democrats went much too far attempting to reach agreement with Republicans.”
Those have been my sentiments about President Obama’s attempts to compromise with Republicans, and his strategy is hurting the left. Especially the raise the debt ceiling compromise that results in this situation. Yet I get hate mail because I write that Obama should get off his fat ass and be a stronger leader against these Republicans.
If the agreement proceeds, spending cuts will be automatic, but not revenue increases? So the Republican strategy has won the day, they get spending cuts without tax increases. A continuation of “starve” the beast and just kill off government strategy Republicans have been playing for decades now.
This President needs to show me that he is a true progressive and will defend his principles ( and stated Democratic Party principles) in the face of adversity. His political strategy trumps his stated principles. Seems to me the Republicans are winning the political battles. GITMO, Bush tax cuts extended, now a “for sure” 1-1/2 trillion in spending cuts, etc., etc.
The President compromises for election posturing, but has no commitment to liberal ideology.He is the leader of the Democratic Party and the one who needs to foster the History of Democratic policies, that made the 20th century the American century.
If Americans choose Republican ideology over Democratic ideology, so be it, but lets not confuse the two, or turn into what our opponents are.
Tom, you’re mistaken here. Revenue increases are automatic on the same day the cuts take effect. Tomorrow’s lead article explains it in detail.
Boy, I am WAY behind on my puzzles. I finally worked my way through these 11. Here are my times. By my figuring, I went 7 and 4.
11/11 4:48 loss
11/12 3:05 win
11/13 3:42 win
11/14 4:03 loss
11/15 5:00 loss
11/16 3:58 win
11/17 3:44 win
11/18 3:33 win
11/19 4:38 win
11/20 4:58 loss
11/21 4:03 win
I seem to have lost track of where I was in the over all standings, but what the hell. I am far behind and clearly you are 3 to 4 times the player that I am. So, with that said, I will wait for tomorrow and just blow off rest of the puzzles between 11/22 and tomorrow.
Glad to hear that you are feeling better and hope you are back to 100% soon.
Take care!
Welcome back, Jerry! 🙂
Good show! Feel free to start the count over. Open door tomorrow