I’m writing for tomorrow, several hours later than I normally do. I’m running a little short on sleep as Guitar Man went off on a drug binge, so I’m feeling pooped. Hopefully I can catch a few Zs before I post this after midnight.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 2:54 (average 4:24). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: Faced with a barrage of new questions about the Affordable Care Act, President Obama cut short a White House press conference today, telling the stunned press corps, “You know what? Everybody can keep their damn insurance.”
Glaring at the reporters, the President continued, “You heard me. If your insurance is crappy, then you just go ahead and keep it—the crappier, the better. Let’s pretend this whole thing never happened.”
A vein in his forehead visibly throbbing, the President added, “You know, I really wish I hadn’t spent the last three years of my life on this thing. I should’ve just gone around invading countries for no reason. That would’ve made everybody happy. Well, live and learn.”…
Of course he didn’t really say that, but he damn well should have!
From TPM: The Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote late Monday afternoon on the nomination of Robert Wilkins to the powerful D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals…
…Democrats have threatened to change the rules and scrap the filibuster for judges if the GOP sustains its blockade, but Republicans say they don’t take their threats seriously.
Harry, it’s time to get out the BIG ones and shine them!
From Washington Post: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says he doesn’t want to run for president, but will consider it if the race is without a strong liberal voice.
In an interview with the Burlington Free Press, Sanders said he would entertain the idea of running if there’s no viable option speaking to the issues he cares about…
…Were Sanders to run as an independent, it would certainly be cause for concern among Democrats. The self-described democratic socialist, who caucuses with Senate Democrats, doesn’t have a huge nationwide following but could pull real votes from the political left if there is unhappiness with the Democratic nominee.
If Bernie runs for the Democratic nomination, I’ll support him from second one. If he runs as an Independent, it will tear my heart out, because I envision Sanders 35%, Clinton 29%, and Cruz (or an squally bad Republican) 36%. Welcome to the Fifth Reich. I suspect that what he’s really doing is trying to coax Elizabeth Warren into running as a Democrat..
Cartoon:
Even then Republicans were not able to function as members of the world community, and through their isolationism. and in some cases, direct support for the German Reich later on, helped bring about WWII.
16 Responses to “Open Thread–11/19/2013”
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3:24 I'm watching the TomCat speed ahead while looking back at me. Stop kicking that Kitty Litter at me!
3:10 TomCat is one quick kitty.
Wooo Hooo! Only for a day.
Guitat Man ~ Have you heard any more about when and if you can move to the new place?
The New Yorker ~ I'm still upset that Pres. Obama is willing to change the law for those whose policies were cancelled. He is not doing them any favors. Maybe they need to learn the hard way but I still think it's wrong. If you care to, here's a petition to sign asking Washington to reject this proposal and any like it. To change it now would be 5 steps backward. http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/DontGoBack?akid=4183.2326967.lECJUD&rd=1&source=dfa_e.4182.20131118&t=1
Washington Post ~ I would support him for President no matter what. He might be trying to push Elizabeth Warren into it but that might be a bad idea. A lot of people have soured on the idea of a one-term Senator or Congressman as President. It all has to do with the Greedy Obstructionist Pharts, but alas, them's the facts, Baby!
Cartoon ~ Some things never change. They still are Fascists. All they need is their brown uniform shirts and then they can goose-step up the steps of the Capitol together.
You just said it all for me, Patti!
See tomorrow's announcement. 🙂
I disagree. If he allows Republicanstwistr it we could end up with a Republican President. That's why I called it a politically necessary mistake.
Support him as a 3rd party Independent in the General, and you'll get a Republican President.
Amen!
Winning the Presidential nomination as an Independent? Teddy couldn't do it. And in this atmosphere, I agree, TC, that all it would do is split the Democratic vote and allow for the Republicans to waltz in. I would support him 100% as a Democrat, but couldn't do it if he ran as an Independent. And I think we should all slam his FB page (or website contact) with comments about why we'd love to see him on the Democratic ticket but not as an Independent.
TR is an excellent example. Deb.
4:12 but who ever heard of a cat looking back? Mine always looked forward – to their next meal.
ACA – Thanks for the link, Patty
Bernie – I wish people would get off of Elizabeth Warren's back! Apparently it was practically impossible to convince her to run for the Senate; certainly it was a surprise to her that she won. I am afraid that if there are too many and too loud voices pushing her to run for a presidency she doesn't want we will lose her as a Senator! And where will we be then!?!
Don't let the polls go to your heads, people. All those people who agree with us and dis the GOP are not angry – they are mildly irritated, and mildly irritated wears off. It's the crazies who are angry, and angry people vote.
Dialy Kos's Election Digest todat cited a cartogram, which is at http://s3.amazonaws.com/dk-production/images/58171/large/WA-Initiative522-2013-cartogram.png?1384817431, regarding 522 in Washington. It shows how intense the anti's (orange) were vis-a-vis the pro's (purple). Also how many people there are in King County as opposed to the eastern part of the state. It wouldn't have taken much more getting out the vote to win this one. But it didn't happen. If we want to make it happen in 2014 it will take work. And anger wouldn't hurt. Can we work up some?
In my kitty box,, I look back! 😉
Amen
Good point!
Sadly another good point!
II'm woprking at that! 🙂
Brass balls?!? I don't think Harry has any. I expect nothing but empty rhetoric from him.
Yeah, Harry has his alter-ego Charlie Brown and the football (non) kicking routine with Lucy down pat …
But maybe – just maybe – he'll grow a pair (or borrow a pair from Pelosi) …
Last time, Republicans caved.
4:54
“You know what? Everybody can keep their damn insurance.”
Yes I agree…
I would support him as he advocates for us everyday… ❗
Thanks.
See above. 🙂
I guess Harry got the Brasso out and put a great shine on those balls because I hear the Dems nuked the filibastards "…Harry Reid and a majority of Senators have fought back by ending the filibuster on nearly all nominations, and requiring an up-or-down vote. …"
http://leftaction.com/action/thank-harry-reid-filibuster
Will wonders never cease!!!