I’m running late today, because of the time required to prepare today’s Election Projection. I’m current with replies. Tomorrow appears routine.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:49 (average 6:08). To do it click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From MoveOn: This Teen’s Joy Of Getting Into Harvard Became The Gateway To An Absolute Nightmare
Once, even Republicans wanted comprehensive immigration reform. They have abandoned that position to appeal to the xenophobes, bigots and racists that make up their base.
From NY Times: The Obama administration will soon take on a new role as the sponsor of at least two nationwide health insurance plans to be operated under contract with the federal government and offered to consumers in every state. These multistate plans were included in President Obama’s health care law as a substitute for a pure government-run health insurance program — the public option sought by many liberal Democrats and reviled by Republicans. Supporters of the national plans say they will increase competition in state health insurance markets, many of which are dominated by a handful of companies.
Though far short of single payer, such as Medicare for all, this is one of the better features if Obamacare. Click through for an explanation.
From Truthdig: The banking industry and its paid protectors have hounded Elizabeth Warren for the past decade because she is one of the few people in Washington who poses a threat to Wall Street’s control over government…
…In an attempt to scare the Massachusetts electorate into re-electing Brown, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg accused Warren of “socialism” in an interview with The New York Times published Oct. 21.
“You can question, in my mind, whether [Warren is] God’s gift to regulation, close the banks and get rid of corporate profits, and we’d all bring socialism back, or the U.S.S.R.”
I cannot stress my support for Elizabeth Warren firmly enough.
Cartoon: I’m amazed Republicans never sent her back, considering the welcome she represents.
11 Responses to “Open Thread–10/28/2012”
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Thanks to the French
Without their help we would be like Canada, still under the British Crown.
Just goes to show you Steve, you didn't build it yourselves! You had help from the French, and I dare say the English Crown who spurred the revolution with their 18th century policies. Canada took a different route to independence, one that didn't involve violence to the same extent.
Republicans hate them. That's reason enough for me to like them.
4:24 The gate is a little squeaky, but I got it open a little quicker than TomCat. I closed it behind me, but is it closed tight enough to keep the girls out?
4:05 No Jerry, it isn't closed tightly enough! This Canuck, who lives under the "British Crown" as Steve says, was able to open it up and pass right through! Bring it on home Patty!
4:26 The gate was a little too hidden by the vines for me to find the right path.
I'll take 3rd place. See, everyone, the meds wore off and I'm back to my pokey old self.
You've been Cakuckified!
Last again!
Puzzle — 4:05 Just follow the winding metal road! This was just like driving in the mountains — curves, dips, and hills!
MoveOn — "How does a 5 year old get held responsible for a criminal act?" — Luis Gutierrez
Here are examples of kids doing well — Mario – stats & math, Eric – cellular biology major, Leticia – a student with a double major — yet they can't fulfill their dreams because the only country they have ever known says they are undocumented. What treasures are lurking there? They work hard! They will make great contributions to the US, yet the US would turn their backs on these kids, and more like them. As Luis Gutierrez says, the POTUS can make it possible for them to get a driver's license and a work permit which can help get them started, or not, depending on the person occupying the office. Mr Obama — YES! Romney, NO! … well at least not likely since nobody really knows where he stands. From Nameless, the contradictions that define Romney:
"The Arizona immigration policy is a good model"
"I didn't really support the Arizona immigration policy"
"I believe that we need to make it tough enough for illegal immigrants that they will self-deport."
"I support the President's Dream Act and will honor it. I will not revoke the status of those immigrants."
Republican/Teabaggers — Xenophobes, bigots and racists! What a legacy! Everybody who is not First Nations is an immigrant to North America. Perhaps we should look at sending all of them back from whence they came!
NY Times — Well, Obamacare might not be the single payer system that many want, nor universal healthcare "à la" Canada, but it certainly a step in the right direction. Actually, it reminds me of my Fair Pharmacare where the government negotiates the prices of pharmaceuticals available directly with the companies. Certainly brings down the prices.
Truthdig — Bloomberg once again proves that he is still a Republican/Teabagger, no matter how he is dressed. Even he sees the need to use the 'S' word, socialism, as if it is some dirty word. Considering it was the banksters who ushered in the financial crisis as a result of their unbridled greed, their desire for riskier behaviour to drive up profits, Warren's regulations were and are very much needed. If that is socialism, then I say "Well done commrade." It plainly is NOT socialism, but rather prudent regulation. If you have a dog thought to be dangerous because he bit the post person, then you muzzle him. No different in my mind.
Cartoon — From Wikipedia:
Bartholdi was inspired by French law professor and politician Édouard René de Laboulaye, who commented in 1865 that any monument raised to American independence would properly be a joint project of the French and American peoples. … Fundraising proved difficult, especially for the Americans, and by 1885 work on the pedestal was threatened due to lack of funds. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer of the World started a drive for donations to complete the project that attracted more than 120,000 contributors, most of whom gave less than a dollar. The statue was constructed in France, shipped overseas in crates, and assembled on the completed pedestal on what was then called Bedloe's Island. The statue's completion was marked by New York's first ticker-tape parade and a dedication ceremony presided over by President Grover Cleveland.
I think it is past time that the Republican/Teabaggers read the sonnet "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus that is on a plaque inside.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Not bad!
Taking the heat for Republican hate!
Amen to ll the rest. That is the welcom I was referring to.
MoveOn ~ If Rmoney/Ryan are elected, no one will dare to dream, not even citizens.
NY Times ~ Those silly RepublicanTs have their panties in a wad over this one. Must be they couldn't figure out how to eliminate this from the bill when it was passed or else our Prez hid it too well. It's just too close to the public option for the BIG insurers and their lackeys in Congress.
TruthDig ~ Bloomberg is as insignificant as Giuliani to me.
Cartoon ~ Happy Anniversary, Lady Liberty!
She was scheduled to be re-opened to the public yesterday and the opening was rescheduled because of Hurricane Sandy barreling up our coast. As far inland as I am, we are expecting terribly high winds tonight & toomorrow and up to a foot of rain or snow because of the convergence of 3 storm systems. Look on the map for Barneveld, NY. That's the little berg where I live.
Amen!
Exactly!
Wow! That's REALLY insignificant!
Amen, and be safe!