For the last several days I have been ill. The problem is that catching a cold or the flu, severely exacerbates my COPD, and for days or sometimes weeks afterwards, my coughing to clear my lungs is so severe that it makes sleep for more than an hour or two at a stretch impossible. After a couple days of that, I’m too tired and foggy to do the research needed to write the quality of articles you deserve. Wednesday night I finally slept well, so I’m back, at least for a day. I’m current on replies to yesterday’s comments. Today I have a month’s groceries being delivered. Unpacking and storing it will take several hours.
Jig Zone Puzzles:
The puzzle for the 14th took me 3:38 (average 5:02). To do it, click here. The puzzle for the 15th took me 3:37 (average 5:08). To do it, click here. The puzzle for the 16th took me 4:22 (average 5:04). To do it, click here. The puzzle for the 17th took me 4:43 (average 5:29). To do it, click here. The puzzle for the 18th took me 3:43 (average 5:35). To do it, click here. The puzzle for the 19th took me 3:45 (average 4:23). To do it, click here. The puzzle for the 20th took me 3:48 (average 4:28). To do it, click here. The puzzle for the 21st took me 4:25 (average 4:44). To do it, click here. Yesterday it took me 3:59 (average 4:27). To do it, click here. Today it took me 4:44 (average 4:55). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Religious Agony:
Fantasy Football Report:
Here are the results from our league, Lefty Blog Friends, from the first week of our playoffs.
I was knocked out in the first round, wrapping up my worst performance, since I started playing, over ten years ago.
Short Takes:
From Washington Post: Civilians were targeted in bombings across Baghdad that killed 57 people amid an escalation of political infighting in Iraq that has followed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.
I first said this would happen well over five years ago, when I argued for immediate withdrawal. The intervening years, loss of life, and tremendous cost failed to prevent this. This lesson needs to be applied to Afghanistan.
From GovTrack: Numbers confirm what we already pretty much know: Congress this year isn’t getting much done. The number of bills enacted this year is lower than it has ever been in at least 30 years. If you think Congress should be passing fewer laws, then you got your wish this year.
For this we have the Republican Party and the people who stayed home in 2010 to thank.
From Washington Post: The House Committee on Ethics said Thursday that it was extending its investigation into whether Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) was involved in reimbursing employees at several of his car dealerships for donations to his campaign.
The announcement by Chairman Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) and ranking member Linda T. Sanchez (D-Calif.) marks another political challenge for Buchanan, the senior Republican fundraiser in the House who also faces a Justice Department probe into the allegations.
Buchannan must be so guilty that he has become an embarrassment, or the Republicans on the committee would have shut down the investigation.
Cartoon:
17 Responses to “Open Thread–12/23/2011”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Your “car” ‘toon (literally) is funny and accurate; the country is definitely having a “coyote moment.” Glad to see you back, TC.
Thanks Phil. It’s good to be back!
I sure am glad to see you back. However, if you over do it, I will have to personally come down there and kick your butt with my size 9s! If that doesn’t scare you, it should.
Congress — So, because of the actions of the Republican/Teabaggers and the DINOs, they’ve accomplished little other than to really piss off the American people. So if the government is looking for cost efficiencies, I think a source has just been identified!All those who prevented the passage of bills and did not work for ALL the people should forfeit their government income or a significant part of it.
Iraq — With significant American help (I will not comment on the reasons or the validity of the American attack on Iraq), Saddam Hussein was brought down and that should have been the end of the fighting. Now, it appears that Saddam’s ruthless approach kept things together out of fear likely, or at least under the boiling point. Now the different branches of Islam are waring with each other (Shi’a vs Sunni) and tribal/ethnic factors like the Kurds are in the mix. This ‘my way or the highway’ approach that people around the world are taking must stop. People need to listen more, talk less, and work with each other for the common good.
We have already seen a lot of sectarian and tribal factions at each other’s throats in Afghanistan and it will get worse. Once coalition forces leave, it will escalate. Just look at the games that Hamid Karzai plays.
Cartoon — Excellent toon. Too bad you couldn’t find a train doing the same thing! With Republicans, everyday life is a car wreck, or a train wreck!
What Ethics? — The House Committee on Ethics and the DOJ investigating this Republican/Teabagger idiot! As you say TC, he must be an embarrassment to the GOP otherwise they would have blocked the investigation as they have done on other occasions. But isn’t Repblican/Teabagger ethics an oxymoron? If the find against him, let’s hope they throw the book at him and he ends up unemployed, or at least no longer employed in government. I’d hate to buy a car, new or used, from this weazel!
Here’s a pretty classic train wreck:
Yup! Off the tracks, over the edge, and total destruction. Very Republican/Teabagger!!!
Thanks!! Dang! You have big feet! 😉
I agree. It’s not as if any of them need the money.
Agree on Iraq and Afghanistan!
I already did one with a train, but Nameless provided a great pic.
Exactly!
Damn rights! I have a broad understanding! What’s more, I used to play football with the neighbourhood boys, swim competitively in highschool and do gymnastics — so I know how to kick! Having a brother and 3 step brothers also helps! Now watch it!
Given the bombings in Iraq, it appears repubicans will have to reassess all their cheering about the “success” of Bush/Cheney’s “surge” maneuver.
Looks like Rudolph is gearing up for his big night … AND in a very eco-friendly way (which gets Bonus Points for bugging the hell out of Luddite repubicans):
LOVE it!!!!!
The surge was only effective while we were there bribing the insurgents.
LOVE it!!
GULP!
Have you been into the fortified eggnog again?!? putting replies on the wrong post?!? Pussy Cats have to be careful of that fortified eggnog!
Nope. Truth is that I don’t drink at all. MY ISP was giving me fits with lockups and I was rushing,
TomCat,
We all appreciate what you do a great deal. Don’t overexert yourself, and cut back as needed. You are a sane and precious resource in a time of absolute insanity, and we want you around for a good long time to come!
Exactly Tom– you are appreciated , so take care– your wisdom is needed’
Phyllis
Amen to Jack and Phyllis! In fact AMEN! Amen!! amen!!!
Thank you all. 🙂