My return may be delayed a day or two. Yesterday morning the building manager informed me that I have to be ready for pest control by 11:00 this morning. That involves bagging all my clothing, food, bedding, etc. I got most of it done yesterday, exhausting myself in the process. I also have to leave for four hours. I will need to get it all put away again by tomorrow night, because I have a month’s groceries being delivered on Saturday morning. I’m current with replies. I’ll keep you posted.
AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:05 (average 4:55). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From MoveOn: Ronald Reagan Thought This Was A Good Idea Decades Ago
Saint Ronnie Ray Gun could not win a nomination for Dog Catcher in today’s Republican Party, and I bet Injustice Scalia would change his mind.
From MSNBC: Lawrence O’Donnell’s Massacre Control Hearing
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Note how the Republican would not answer the questions and would not even tell the truth that she is a Republican, pretending to be an Independent. She claimed to represent millions when her astro-turfed group only has about 1,000 on her mailing list. Republicans have no facts supporting their positions, so they use anecdotes that are not applicable and even make up fairy tale anecdotes that are.
From The New Yorker: In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, National Rifle Association C.E.O. Wayne LaPierre warned that the N.R.A. would vigorously oppose any legislation that “limits the sale, purchase, or ownership of politicians.”
“Politicians pose no danger to the public if used correctly,” said Mr. LaPierre, who claims to have over two hundred politicians in his personal collection. “Everyone hears about the bad guys in Congress. Well, the only thing that stops a bad guy with a vote is a good guy with a vote. I’m proud to be the owner of many of those guys.”
Mr. LaPierre’s comments drew a sharp rebuke from Carol Foyler, a politician-control advocate who has spent the past twelve years lobbying for stricter limits on the sale of politicians.
Although this article is satirical, I certain that LaPierre does own hundreds.
Cartoon:
And Republicans are fighting to see the last Social Security check issued.
17 Responses to “Open Thread–1/31/2013”
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3:13 Pretty little flutter-by.
4:00 This little butterfly did not even get off the ground.
3:52 This little flutterby came out of its cacoon and one wing is stretched and dry, but the other is not. No flying today!
Last as usual.
Good luck with all your moving around. Don't overdo it. We will be here waiting patiently for your return.
MoveOn ~ The Grandiose Obstructionist Pinheads only agree with their own like Scalia. Like you have stated before St. Ronnie couldn't win a primary in today's GOP.
Cartoon ~ Ironically, my battle with the SSA took place on this day in 2004. I was awarded my first direct deposit in February.
MSNBC ~ I watched part of the hearings yesterday and this woman was a real jerk. Independent, my ass!
The New Yorker ~ As always, Andy Borowicz's tongue-in-cheek humor is spot on.
I overdid it. There was no choice in thge matter, given the deadline.
Amen.
Ironic, indeed.
Ummmm…. I suggest that your ass is far more independent than she is. 😉
Always.
Gayle Trotter is laughable! Witness her "testimony" in the senate hearing, Massacre Control", and on MSNBC's Lawrence O’Donnell’s Massacre Control Hearing, the Last Word interview in the link above.
Gayle Trotter's web site: Gayletrotter.com
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Gayle Trotter is also a moron and, no doubt, a paid shill of the NRA. None of her arguments pass the "straight face" test. Her and LaPierre double-teaming the Senate hearing; what a joke.
I agree with you both.
Jim, I delinked the address to her website. Links increase her advcertising revenue, and we don't want to do anythig to help with that. 🙂
The NRA Solution to Drunk Drivers: MORE ALCOHOL
Afraid that Government legislation will “Take away our guns” – the NRA has said that the solution to the deaths of innocent citizens by guns is MORE GUNS
Yet Government laws have reduced the number of deaths caused by drunk drivers WITHOUT BANNING ALCOHOL
Then again, unlike the NRA, the Government didn’t think the solution to deaths caused by drunk drivers was MORE ALCOHOL
Excellent analogy.
Do you feel like a cloud is following you? Good grief, no wonder you are still sick. I hope all goes well for you. Yes, you are right, Ronnie would not be admitted to the Republican party these days!
Edie, sometimes. This last month has been particularly rough.
Puzzle — 3:52 This little flutterby came out of its cacoon and one wing is stretched and dry, but the other is not. No flying today!
MoveOn —- Back then, Injustice Scalia probably wasn't the activist that he is now. Or would it be more appropriate, however sexist it might seem and coming from someone of the female persuasion, to say "It's a woman's perogative to change her mind. Just shows that Injustice Scalia is an old woman."
MSNBC — In this segment, it is quite apparent that Gayle Trotter was backed into a corner by Lawrence and feeling trapped. Despite her protestations to the contrary, she appeared to be avoiding the questions asked which were very specific and direct. I listened to several additional segments of Lawrence O'Donnell and was moved by the testimony of David Wheeler, father of a Newtown child victim, at a Conneticut Legislature bipartisan hearing in Newtown. In a well crafted statement, he made reference to Thomas Jefferson's words "life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness". Wheeler said (paraphrased) "The right of ownership of guns is second to our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". As Lawrence said, the judicial enquiry should have heard this testimony. Wheeler received a standing ovation from legislators and the public. Additionally what was interesting, Wayne LaPierre is totally at odds in 2013 with what he advocated in 1999 — detailed background checks.
The New Yorker — I remember reading an article many months ago about this very thing but I just can't remember the dollar figure mentioned — I think $10K for your average politician, and more for leaders. And then there is that damn score card that the NRA keeps and holds over a politician's head.
In my estimation, the NRA is just too big for its britches! But as usual, Borowitz is so funny in his accuracy.
Cartoon — As socialist as everybody thinks Canada is with its universal health care, Canada Pension did not start until 1966. Now there is the CPP as well as the Old Age Security which is a smaller of the two. Workers contribute to CPP but OAS is funded by the federal government and available to all who qualify. CPP is only available to those that contributed through their employment.
You were Mashed.
He was, but he wasn't as blatent about it.
Because there are more extremiss in office now, they can get away with more.
That sounds about right. Their political spendiung is over $24 million per year.
Here, everyone gets something. The higher the contribution, the higher the benefits.
Your apartment is being fumigated – for Pete's sake TomCat, please be careful of the fumes – four hours does NOT sound long enough for the air to clear enough for compromised lungs!
Pat, I spent about 15 years in the pest control industry, and I has a chat with the PCO about materials before they touched my apartment.