Sooner or later I’m going to recover from this thing. I’m current with replies. Maybe tomorrow.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:12 (average 5:34). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From NY Times: Even as President Obama prepares to sign the hard-won tax deal that Congress passed Tuesday, another manufactured deadline with a colorful name is threatening to hamstring the government and undermine the economy.
Goodbye, fiscal cliff. Hello, debt ceiling.
The federal government has exhausted its legal authority to borrow money, and in about two months it will no longer have enough cash to meet all of its obligations, the Treasury Department said Monday.
Congress could vote to let the government borrow more, as it has done 11 times since 2001, most recently in August 2011. But some Congressional Republicans say they are willing to do so only as part of an agreement to reduce federal spending, while Mr. Obama said Tuesday that he would not accept any conditions, even as he warned of disastrous consequences.
In my opinion, Obama should ignore Republicans and pay America’s bills using the 14th Amendment as his authority, if Republicans resort to their terrorist ways.
From The Hill: House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to "go f–k yourself" during a heated confrontation before a "fiscal cliff" meeting last week at the White House.
What better evidence could there be that Reid was doing a good job?
From MSNBC: Big Oil demonstrating their emergency preparedness.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Big Oil always has wonderful emergency plans, right up until the time an emergency happens. All their subsidies should be revoked and reinvested in green energy.
Cartoon:
26 Responses to “Open Thread–1/3/2013”
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3:39 Can ya or cant yer beat my time?
What a terrible pun. No points off for my awful humor though.
3:30 I might have been playing 'kiss me ass' yesterday, but today I'm on the run and working up a lather.
3:59 Well, TomCat, it looks like us old stallions got left in the corral by a couple of young fillies, but they had to beat the average by about 2 minutes to do it.
Disgusting, isn't it? 😉
Thank you for the "young" comment, Jerry. Nobody has called me that in a long time except the 80 year oldsters.
. . . but at least you know you are stallions! Oh, and BTW, thanks for 'young' and 'fillie' in the same sentence. That never happens any more to me!
Jerry forgot "sexy". 😀
Here we go again!
“We Republicans need to tolerate a temporary, partial government shutdown,” Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, Pennsylvania Republican, said on MSNBC. “It’s disruptive, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the path we’re on. We absolutely have to have this fight over the debt limit.”
Read more: http://times247.com/articles/gop-members-threaten-debt-ceiling-shutdown#ixzz2GvFvhiEk
This must be the tantrum the spoiled brats are going to throw because they gave in a little over taxes on the rich.
I agree, Tom. He should ignore them and invoke the 14th Amendment. "No More Mr. Nice Guy" should be his new theme song this term.
The Hill ~ The Weeper of the House really displays his character here.
MSNBC ~ Big Oil's preparedness? What a joke!
How about this one? – Read about the beautiful Yellowstone River. https://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/55255105/79696597/APNewsBreak_Feds_say_delay_made_oil_spill_worse
Speaking of investing in green energy- I'm sure the big companies will all start doing it if they haven't already because that's where the newest tax credits lie.
Cartoon ~ I remember thinking back then how wonderful it was to have a great state with some of the richest supply of natural resources in the world. And then they gave us Sarah…
Yes. I understand the policy of refusing to negotiated with terrorists, while they are holding hostages.
I agree.
ARGH!
According to the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 7, clause 1), all appropriation bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
The House has been controlled by REPUBLICANS – so all these are expenditures originated in the REPUBLICAN-controlled House, sent through Committees, voted on and APPROVED by REPUBLICANS.
And now REPUBLICANS want to go back on their promise to pay for those very same expenditures by refusing to raise the debt ceiling.
And THEY”RE supposed to be the party of fiscal responsibility?!? *sigh*
The Boehner-Reid Exchange As I Envision It:
Boehner: “Go f^ck yourself”
Reid, a bit startled, replied: “What are you talking about?”
Boehner repeated: “Go f^ck yourself!”
Reid: “Nice talk … but f^cking you over was enough enjoyment for one day.”
LOL
Good point on appropriations Nameless. What a bunch of losers!
You could be a comedic writer of note with political speak your forté! LOL
Excellent point, Nameless. What a perfect example of projection.
It is no surprise that Boehner would tell Reid to "go f–k yourself". After all, the republicans, especially the teabaggers, have been saying that to the American people for quite a while.
Jerry, you are sooo right!
Amen, Jerry. It also goes to their holy Joe thing.
Big Oil emergency plans are just like republican fiscal responsibility — all talk and no action.
Yes. 100% deception.
Puzzle — 3:30 I might have been playing 'kiss me ass' yesterday, but today I'm on the run and working up a lather.
NY Times — Déjà vu! I am really not a big fan of reruns, but that is what it seems the Republican/Teabaggers are set on doing. The GOP was okay with the debt ceiling rise when it paid for the illegal war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. But then in August 2011 with a Democrat president that they wanted to limit to one term, all of a sudden it wasn't ok. As Mr Obama said
From times247.com
Disruptive? Let's see, there's the distinct possibility that the rating agencies will downgrade the country AGAIN thereby increasing borrowing costs. How about the effect on markets and the global economies? The last time there was a shutdown it was in 1995-1996 (actually 2). Here are some of the effects as noted in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_1995_and_1996
Disruptive is not a word I would use to describe a governmrnt shut down. Words that come to mind: irresponsible, lunacy, chaos, stupidity. Interestingly enough, the 95-96 shut down also involved a Democrat president, Bill Clinton, and a Republican House lead by Newty. Have we got reruns or what?!
TC, when you suggest Mr Obama use the 14th amendment as his authority to continue paying the bills, I take it that this is the wording that you are relying on.
It is past time that somebody took the Republican/Teabaggers out behind the woodshed and whooped them with a hickory switch!
The Hill — I would have thought that would have been grounds for censure, but then who would do the admonishing? Boehner as the senior of the the 3. Ha! Maybe he was disappointed that he'd be late for his date with his bar stool.
MSNBC — A grounded rig from Shell, the company that thinks it can safely drill in the Arctic and supposedly knows how to clean up in the Arctic should there be a spill. In my mind, this is proof that they haven't got a clue!
Shell was bested by winds reported at up to 60 miles (100 km) an hour and Gulf of Alaska seas of up to 35 feet (11 m).
The rig has about 139,000 gallons of ultra-low-sulfur diesel on board, and equipment on the Kulluk is estimated to have about 12,000 gallons of combined lube oil and hydraulic fluid..
So far no spill. but Shell reports that they have to wait for better weather to see what exactly is happening. This is winter weather in the Arctic. And Shell thinks it can handle it?
Shell, and any other oil company must not be allowed to drill in the Arctic and endanger the environment, wildlife, people, and further climate change.
Cartoon — I wouldn't blame Alaska for Sarah Palin. She started out in Idaho in 1964. 1964 was the big Alaskan eathquake — maybe the earth knew what was coming!
A win for you!
Interesting observarvation. Redux indeed.
Exactly, but since it does not authorize debt incurred in the aid of an insurrection, the salaries of Congressionalal Republicans and their staffs neded not be paid.
It isn't shit when they dump it.
I fully agree.
While it did not create her, it did attract her. You know what draws flies.
ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! Not Sarah Palin again!
I apologize, Jack. 🙂
Once again, Boehner has shown how little class he has. Not surprised. Not surprised either that the Republicans are going to try to use the debt ceiling to hammer Obama again. I wish he would use the 14th amendment, and stand up to these bullies. He does not have to run for office again, what does he have to lose? Dubya strutted his stuff his second term, much as I detested him, maybe Obama should take a cue from him.
During the first term, he had to work for his reelection. During the second, he extablishes his legacy. I do n;y think caving-in is the legacy he wants to leave.
I agree with Edith – and I do hope TC is right…. but fancy reminding me of $$arah Palin when I am feeling so poorly! Oh dear!
Apologies!