I’m writing for tomorrow. It’s been a busy day. Housework was floors, dusting and the refrigerator. I’m waiting for Store to Door to deliver groceries. They help me put them away, and that makes me keep the fridge cleaned out to avoid embarrassment. Earlier I watched Olympic coverage, and was most pleased to See Finland eliminate the team of Vladimir Putin (R-RU) in the quarter finals.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:40 (average 5:08). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: The wingnut welfare must have run out for the man who became famous as "Joe the Plumber." Samuel Wurzelbacher, his real name, has had to get a job that involves something other than performing the role of the regular blue-collar white guy on the Republican speaking and media circuits—and it’s a union job at Chrysler. Wurzelbacher took to Facebook sounding a wee bit defensive:
“In order to work for Chrysler, you are required to join the Union, in this case UAW. There’s no choice – it’s a union shop – the employees voted to have it that way and in America that’s the way it is,” he wrote.
Of course the Republican is lying. He may opt to pay a fee for their representation, so he does not have to join. This is one member UAW is better off without!!
From Bill Moyers: Last week, The Wire creator David Simon told Bill Moyers that the legal doctrine that spending money on political campaigns is an act of political speech protected by the First Amendment poses the greatest threat to American democracy. “That to me was the nail in the coffin,” he said. “If the combination of the monetization of our elections and gerrymandering create a bicameral legislature that doesn’t in any way reflect the will of the American people, you’ve reached the end game for democracy.”
He’s right. Not only does money as speech allow those with the fattest wallets to drown out the voices of average citizens, as John Light points out, it also gives wealthy donors an effective veto over policies that enjoy majority support. But it’s important to understand the other ways that the expansion of civil rights for corporations can conflict with the public interest.
David Simon is spot-on. You owe it to your brain to click through for the rest of this outstanding piece.
Corporations are NOT people!! Money is NOT speech!!
From Crooks and Liars: Here’s what we get to look forward to from now until Hillary Clinton either announces that she’s not going to run for president, or finishes up her second term in office if she ends up being the Democratic nominee and is elected and reelected.
Media Matters nailed this one before it even aired: Fox Scrapes The Bottom Of The Clinton Conspiracy Barrel:
Barf Bag Alert!!
In the interest of clarity, I have to say that, if there was a more progressive alternative to Hillary, who is willing to challenge her for the Democratic nomination, I would be a supporter of ABH, not because she is a woman, but because she is not progressive enough to suit me. That said, I will support her strongly in the general election, because even Hillary stands head and shoulders over anyone that the Republican Party will offer. The Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, aka Faux Noise, cannot attack Hillary on policy, because across the board, theirs are worse for America, so this is the garbage they offer instead.
Cartoon:
222 years later, Republicans have almost succeeded in killing it. I guess they think Washington was a damn librul.
15 Responses to “Open Thread–2/20/2014”
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Fox IS the bottom of the barrel….smart people question EVERYTHING they say and do and then still believe none of it.
Many thanks for keeping us in posts, Tom – with all you do, it can't be easy, but it surely is appreciated!
Finland – 3
Russia – 1
Vlad had a sad
And you got to feel sorry for Joe the Plumber. He now has a job with good pay and great benefits.
Of course Joe blamed that damn Commie, Marxist, Socialist, Fascist lackey in the White House for his "terrible" misfortune.
3:19 My, my. I've actually beatt that old TomCat 2 days in a row. I'm sure I'll be Crunched or Stomped by either Lynn or Jerry though.
3:21 It won't be me.
4:03 I'm having too much fun playing with the dog!
Daily Kos ~ The auto industry giving "Joe the Plumber" a job is the only bad outcome of the industry bailout.
Bill Moyers ~ SCROTUS is at fault for all of this.
Crooks & Liars ~ Kathleen Willey has some major mental problems. One of them is her need for her "15 minutes of fame". She had it back in the 19990s but she still craves more.
Cartoon ~ I hope they don't succeed. I, for one, like the Post Office.
4:52 What an appropriately named place to take a dog.
Daily Kos – Pity, I rather like Chrysler. Well, if there's a used Chrysler product in my future I'll make sure it was made before 2014. I am not on Facebook and don't really know how it works, but if you are, and if you can, you should be calling him out on the lie.
Bill Moyers – I did see most of this, with just a few reception problems. When you click through, also click over on the right, to "Seven Initiatives to Get Money Out of Politics," click through that, and join or at least sign something. No point just sitting around wringing our hands.
Crooks and Liars – Dear God, help us elect a Government that will protect us from the bullies who want to "protect" us. It's more obvious how that applies to women and children, but it does apply to all. Look at how the Republicans in Tennessee "protected" VW workers from a union. TC, your stand on Hillary is exactly right and very clearly stated.
Cartoon: If you never have, google "Jerry Stidman" and sign every one of his petitions. Please.
Cleaning that fridge is always a chore, but I would love for someone to put my groceries away.
Poor Joe the Plumber, how far down he has come in the world, having to work with the rest of us. Still lying, though.
Bill MOyers: I read the whole article and it is a wake up call to all of us to demand the overturn of Citizens United, and any other ruling that allows corporations the same rights as people.
Crooks and Liars: The attacks on Hillary have all ready started because they are so afraid she has a chance of winning in 2016.
Cartoon: They are doing their best to kill the postal service.
Remember a few days ago when I was whining about snow? It was 75 degrees here today, we are under a tornado watch as I type. Ky weather is so interesting.
5:11 – Slow but steady… 😎
Puzzle — 4:03 I'm having too much fun playing with the dog!
Daily Kos — He would have known that Chrysler was a union shop! . . . and could he not find a non union job? What a lying sob!
Bill Moyers — Corporations are not people and money is not speech! Citizens United, the greatest misstep of SCOTUS, must be overturned . . . and fast!
Crooks and Liars — Faux News is going to the least important . . . titilating sexual innuendo instead of solid policy positions in hopes of creating a great mindless stir. Seems like projection. Let's face it, there is plenty of misogynism from the Republicanus/Teabaggers at all levels.
Cartoon — Hmmmm . . . I think Canada Post is taking pointers from USPS by phasing out daily residential urban delivery.
Personal — Jeff, the project manager of my home renos and just a super and supportive persons, just lost his mother. Would you guys do me a favour and keep Jeff and his family in your thoughts. Thanks.
Namaste
Lynn – praying for Jeff and his family; am so glad to hear you have someone good working there, Lynn. TC – am praying for you and your COPD – I love the fact that you keep the fridge clean like that, I really do!
Thanks everyone. Thoughts and prayers for Jeff.
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