I’m writing for tomorrow, and I shall post just this article, because my COPD interfered with my sleep last night. I plan to watch a lot of the Olympic coverage. I have long been a fan of amateur sports, although I admit to frustration over the way pros have taken over some venues and even most “amateurs” are now pros. Nevertheless, there will be lots of moments worth seeing, even though I expect those dang Canadians to kick our butts more often than not.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:35 (average 5:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?
From My Window:
The Winter Storm Warning has been extended through tomorrow night. Lots of places are colder and have more snow, but this is highly unusual here.
Short Takes:
From Mother Jones: There’s one main rule at the conservative donor conclaves held twice a year by Charles and David Koch at luxury resorts: What happens there stays there.
The billionaire industrialists and their political operatives strive to ensure the anonymity of the wealthy conservatives who fund their sprawling political operation—which funneled more than $400 million into the 2012 elections—and to keep their plans private. Attendees of these summits are warned that the seminars, where the Kochs and their allies hatch strategies for electing Republicans and advancing conservative initiatives on the state and national levels, are strictly confidential; they are cautioned to keep a close eye on their meeting notes and materials. But last week, following the Kochs’ first donor gathering of 2014, one attendee left behind a sensitive document at the Renaissance Esmeralda resort outside of Palm Springs, California, where the Kochs and their comrades had spent three days focused on winning the 2014 midterm elections and more. The document lists VIP donors—including John Schnatter, the founder of the Papa John’s pizza chain—who were scheduled for one-on-one meetings with representatives of the political, corporate, and philanthropic wings of Kochworld. The one-page document, provided to Mother Jones by a hotel guest who discovered it, offers a fascinating glimpse into the Kochs’ political machine and shows how closely intertwined it is with Koch Industries, their $115 billion conglomerate.
Click through for the complete list of Koch Suckers.
From NY Times: The Senate failed to move forward on a three-month extension of assistance for the long-term unemployed on Thursday, leaving it unlikely that Congress would approve the measure soon while undercutting a key aspect of President Obama’s economic recovery plan.
The Senate did not fail. The Republican Party sabotaged it. Every Democrat voted for it. All but four Republicans voted against it.
From Think Progress: With the 2014 Winter Olympics kicking off Friday, all eyes are on Sochi to see who will violate Russia’s ban on “gay propaganda.” This ambiguous law, purportedly designed to protect children from homosexuality, has been used to punish any positive messages about LGBT people; just on Friday, more than a dozen were arrested in St. Petersburg for a sign quoting the Olympics’ nondiscrimination ordinance (Principle 6).
The International Olympics Committee seems to have arranged a truce with Russia that the law will not be enforced during the Games, but has also discouraged athletes from making any political statements. A “speakers corner” has been set up for athletes, but it’s several miles away from any of the venues and President Vladimir Putin said this week that Sochi is “not the place” to debate gay rights.
Of the 2,500 athletes attending the games, only seven are openly gay, an improbably low proportion, but openly lesbian Dutch snowboarder Chery Maas has already flashed her unicorn rainbow glove for the camera . It remains to be seen how enforcement of the law will actually play out, but here are 10 attendees who are likely to violate the ban:
Click through for the list of athletes, who may have the courage to challenge GOP Pootie (R-RU) and his Republican War on the LGBT community.
Cartoon:
10 Responses to “Open Thread–2/8/2014”
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"Nevertheless, there will be lots of moments worth seeing, even though I expect those dang Canadians to kick our butts more often than not."
I do believe we all wear size 9s or larger! Mind, some of us have to wear snowshoes or speed skates to get to a size 9 or more equivalent. . . but not me! My size 9s are the genuine article!
The USA has already earned a gold medal in Slope style Snowboard thanks to Sage Kotsenburg. WooHoo!
3:13 My fire hasn't burned out yet.
4:07 Someone poured water on my fire.
4:01 My flame is guttering!
I wish I could post a picture from my window. We got 12 inches Wednesday and it's beautiful. We're used to a lot of snow though. More coming Sunday and Monday.
Mother Jones ~ I hope they all enjoyed their private meetings withthe Kochs. We all know what happens behind closed doors at their private functions. They were all working hard during that seminar. One billionaire who wasn't listed is Sam Zell. Daily Kos had a nice little blog about him today. Zell, in agreement with Perkins who thinks our criticism od the 1% equals the Kristallnacht by the Nazis, said that we are "just jealous because they don't have the same work ethic that the country's wealthiest do". He further advises us to work harder and emulate the 1% because "The 1% work harder." How did the Kochs forget to invite this slime dog?
NY Times ~ They needed 60 votes again. Go figure.
Think Progress ~ The Games should be about the athletes. I doubt any of the athletes will start any trouble. I think it would be others who would challenge Russia's ban.
Cartoon ~ Look at the pretty rainbow.
6:00 Smoke got in my eyes?
Weather – We've been having snow here too, off and on. We need it, but it makes it tough to get around. This coming Tuesday and Wednesday don't look too bad if the snow stops Sunday as predicted.
Mother Jones – Mosy of those dorks keep such low profiles. MoJo was able to providde a little background on some but not all. John Schnatter was already in trouble over Obamacare and this just sealed and delivered it. Patty mentioned Sam Zell – doesn't it steam you? When he starts working an 8-hour shift daily digging ditches followed by another 8-hour shift serving fast food, then he can say he works harder. But not until.
NY Times – nothing to say, is there?
Think Progress: Sometines I wonder whether we have made or will make any progress at all as a species or whether we will commit collective suicide first.
Cartoon: All rainbows are pretty. We need more of them.
Puzzle — 4:01 My flame is guttering!
Weather — TC, you were hit with snow. That storm missed us but there is another that is expected to hit us Monday, and then it is heading south. I wonder if you'll get it? Temps have been cold and the air unusually dry. Lots of static to which we are not accustomed.
Mother Jones — Not only are there Finks in the Republicanus/Teabagger room, but there is one hell of a lot of political incest . . . incest between the Republicanus/Teabaggers and the Kochsucker pseudo empire!
NY Times — "Every Democrat voted for it. All but four Republicans voted against it." — Of course they did because the Republicanus/Teabaggers have 3 goals (not necessarily in that order):
1) Establish a fascist reich in the US of the oligarchs, by the oligarchs and their Republicanus/Teabagger lackies, and for the oligarchs;
2) Destroy everyone except the 1%;
3) Destroy Mr Obama.
What a bunch of ass hats!
Think Progress — I applaud those that will not sweep Russia's LGBT legelation under the carpet. But it must be difficult for some of the athletes who may be gay to come out publicly because judges can be prejudice too! Until all people globally are equal, no one is equal! Let's hear it for unicorn mitts!
Cartoon — AMEN!!!!!
Thanks everyone. Now we have an ice storm warning through tonight.
I have no doubt Lynn eill gert the gold for Canada in the Sasquatch Stomping event. 🙂
Good movie… ♥
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