I’m writing for tomorrow, a holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb. My Broncos will be worshiping at Oakland, and it will be televised here, so you what I’ll be doing tomorrow afternoon. It’s also the last game in our Fantasy Football league. After taking 2nd place in the regular season, the best I can to in the playoffs is 5th, and that only if that Patty Monster doesn’t MASH me AGAIN!!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:17 (average 5:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?
My Window – Out and In:
The first picture was out my window. Note the red X to the right of the grocery store sign.
The second picture was from that red X. You can see my headboard in the window.
The interior is not yet sufficiently organized for pictures.
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: Here’s a cool map from artist and urban planner Neil Freeman, who engaged in a thought experiment to rectify a serious problem with the electoral college: namely, that California has 66 times the population of Wyoming but only 18 times the electoral votes. Of course, this size disparity is an even bigger problem in the Senate, though Freeman’s radical plan would remedy both—by redrawing the 50 states to make them all equipopulous…
Of course, this will never happen, but it sure explains the inequities in the electoral college. It also would deal with the extreme advantage in Senate influence small state residents have.
From Truthdig: Droughts by the end of this century somewhere in the world will be 20% more frequent. But the catch is that nobody right now can predict with any certainty which places will feel the effects soonest, or more frequently.
Thirty research teams from 12 countries report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced on a global scale, an extra 40% more people are likely to experience real water scarcity.
While some will have too little water, others might have too much. Of the areas investigated, more than half could also expect increases in river flooding.
Mene mene tekel upharsin!
From Crooks and Liars: Occupy Madison volunteers have been working to combat homelessness in Madison, Wisconsin. This year they launched an ambitious project to start building small, portable homes for Madison’s homeless population. The first residents moved in on Christmas Eve.
The two finished homes are both approximately 98 square feet and have a bed, kitchen, bathroom and storage.
Kudos to Occupy Madison. Every little bit helps, especially when it’s right under Fartfuhrer Walker’s nose!
Cartoon:
An American tragedy!
15 Responses to “Open Thread–12/29/2013”
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4:06 This one was difficult but I had "a ball" doing it.
I hope my mashing you in the puzzle is a harbinger of the football final.
4:06 We may be close, but misskitty took off with the ball.
Last and Kitty Kitty Klobbered, but I had Monster for lunch!! 🙂
PIX ~ Your new place looks great and centrally located. May you have Joyful & Peaceful days there.
Daily Kos ~ I like the map. Where I live, in upstate NY, we are not represented as well as those in New York City. I know this will never happen though.
Truthdig ~ What climate change? There is none, you scientists! Deniers don't care what they leave to posterity as long as they have prosperity now.
Crooks and Liars ~ I love this! I read it yesterday and have been telling everybody I know about it. Tiny houses for the homeless. The great idea is they need no building lot. some who have been living in their cars can now tow their houses behind them. It's kind of like a turtle with a shell.
Cartoon ~ We have too many tragic days in our history.
Thanks Patty!
True!
Bingo!
Or one lot could accomodate a bunch!
Indeed!
2:50 – got lucky
And…with a brand new QB Dallas takes on the Iggles aka Philadelphia, Romo is out for the season with back surgery. This will be interesting. Good luck TC.
I'm sure by now everyone has heard the complaint by Bill Maher that California's population deserves at least one more Senator, while states like Montana or Wyoming deserve at most one Senator. He does have a point, that's beyond equal representation.
For the game tonight I have fingers crossed, salt over the should and maybe a fake rabbits foot. Knowing this could be the last game of the season for my Cowboys.
Kitty Kitty Klobbered!
Sorry about your boys. Kyle almost did it.
It is an anti Democratic feature in our Constitution. When it was written they did not have such a huge population disparity. The problem is that, to change it, an amendment would have to be ratified by a bunch of the states that get an advantage from the status quo.
Great Idea to help people, I like it… 💡
6:14 – Nice location and view TomCat.
I agree!
Thanks!
I hear that the "Tea Party" plan to attack the endangered species act.
therefore causing extinction of several threatened species.
I have a GREAT idea.
Lets all call for the extinction of the "Tea Party"
Have a great new year.
Avril, I have nit heard thet, but it makes sense that they will be supporting the Corporate Criminals that want to trash the environment for profit.
I have a better one. Extinction for ther entire Republican Party.
You too!
4:38 – I thought the bands of color made it easier. Of course I also just changed the battery in my mouse.
Pictures look great. I'm sure it will all be worth all the effort!
Map: I saw that on Kos and I violently object to where I am. Colorado Springs needs to be in Shiprock. For one thing, Doug Lamborn is bad enough, I don't need to also be in the same state as Dick Cheney. For another, I realize this is a stretch, but I would love to have two Senators named Udall. OK, I know the whole thing is a dream. But just maybe getting rid of the electoral college is an achievable dream.
Truthdig: With hindsight, I can see that the effects of climate change – the effects one "feels" through unusual weather – go back a lot farther than I thought. But then, denial is denial, and sees nothing. Maybe we could get the GOP to change their name to the "Know-Nothing" party? It's been done? Oh, well, it was a thought.
Crooks and Liars – My butterfly brain flitted to a quote from Moyers today. Guest Tom Cahill referred to Pope Francis as showing the spirit of Occupy. Besides the obvious, it's nice to hear someone who does NOT think that the Occupy movement has no definite goals. Again, denial sees nothing.
Cartoon – I almost expected to see the little elephant saying "It wasn't enough" or "We need to kill more" or the like. But thank you for keeping it respectful.
Completely off all topics, but if anyone is interested in a Hidden-Object-Puzzle-Adventure game in which the villain's name is Dimon (not really a spoiler, it's pretty obvious pretty soon), the two "Twilight Phenomena" games will deliver. And very satisfying it is to defeat him! Even if only in a game.
A hot mouse makes a difference!
Thanks!
2 Udalls would be great! If states with half the electoral votes plus one agree to vote their delegates for the winner of the national popular vote, that achieves that goal.
I certainly see the differences where I live.
Bingo!
I considered it, nut the event predates today's political climate.
I don't know if I'll have time for another game, but I'll sure look at it.
That is a nice looking building. I bet your are organized soon.
I have always had a problem with the electoral college. I believe in popular vote, only.
Truthdig" Remember, we have no global warming, that is just a liberal thing.
Crooks and Liars: Good for Occupy Madison, a model for other cities! I read that Utah has also developed a program for the homeless that provided apts to people who have lost their homes. Too many people in this country are just onepaycheck away from being homeless.
Cartoon: A sad day in our history.
Thanks Edie. I hope so!
Ditto!
LOL!
Amen!
Indeed!