I’m writing for tomorrow and have spent much of the last day trying to find a solution for the incompatibility between the needed security patches in the latest version of WordPress and several of the features in our WYSIWYG comment editing plugin for all except the administrator (me). I uninstalled and reinstalled it different ways three times to no avail. I tried two similar plugins, but their conflicts were even worse. So I put it back the way it was. The alternative is to return to the native comment editor with no advanced features for anyone. I have made inquiries to s designer of graphic editors about the possibility of a custom installation here. Meanwhile, I hope your remembrance has been pain free. Day 36.
Late (early) Update:
I overslept BIG time, so this is way late.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:55 (average 5:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Upworthy: Are The Guts Of Your Cell Phone Hiding An Illegal Operation?
The good news is that, on further research, I discovered that Intel has developed a supply-chain to make a line of microprocessors that are 100% conflict-free. Kudos!
From NY Times: Hospital systems around the country have started scaling back financial assistance for lower- and middle-income people without health insurance, hoping to push them into signing up for coverage through the new online marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act.
The trend is troubling to advocates for the uninsured, who say raising fees will inevitably cause some to skip care rather than buy insurance that they consider unaffordable. Though the number of hospitals tightening access to free or discounted care appears limited so far, many say they are considering doing so, and experts predict that stricter policies will become increasingly common.
Driving the new policies is the cost of charity care, which is partly covered by government but remains a burden for many hospitals. The new law also reduces federal aid to hospitals that treat large numbers of poor and uninsured people, creating an additional pressure on some to restrict charity care.
I actually support this hospital policy, depending on where and when it is implemented. In states where Republicans have denied healthcare to the working poor by refusing to accept federal Medicaid expansion funds, this policy would be horrid, and should not be implemented at all. However in some states, the only people who lack access to affordable health care from their employers, the exchanges or Medicaid are those who refuse to participate by their own choice. Also such a change must delayed until after the next open enrollment period, so everyone has a chance to enroll, knowing that they can’t play the system anymore. In that case, I say go for it.
From TPM: A Mississippi judge allegedly slapped a young mentally disabled black man earlier this month at a flea market and yelled "run, n—-, run," the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reported Sunday.
The family of Eric Rivers, 20, filed a complaint against Madison County Justice Court Judge Bill Weisenberger, who is white, accusing him of striking Rivers at the market on May 8 in Canton, Miss.
"This is 2014, not 1960, where someone could slap a young man and call out, ‘Run, n—–, run,’" former Canton Mayor William Truly, now president of the Canton branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, told the Clarion-Ledger.
An apparent witness, Tammy Westbrook, told the newspaper Rivers was offering to help flea market vendors unload their goods when Weisenberger slapped him twice, then yelled "run, n—-, run" as he fled. Westbrook and her sister, a vendor at the flea market, recalled that they thought Weisenberger was a law enforcement officer because he was wearing a security guard’s uniform.
The world is getting really strange when Republican judges are dressing up as rent-a-cops to assault minorities at a flea market. On the other hand, if he gets fired in Mississippi, he’ll find a warm welcome wherever else Republicans are in power.
Cartoon:
21 Responses to “Open Thread–5/27/2014”
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TY TC – brief comments – terrible back pain – but WTF was going on that a judge (a JUDGE for Pete's sake!) would use language and actions like that??!!! Is Weirdburger of an age to be suffering from early onset dementia? Strewth!
I hear yoiu on the back pain, Me too! Hope you feel better!
6:22 More metal than heart here.
Upworthy – I think it's tough to remember this when shopping for electronics, just as it's hard to remember slavery when shopping for clothes, or sports tickets, or just about anything else. My cell phone is 12 years old, but that's not because I am concerned about slavery (although I do get and sign petitions from Walk Free), it's because I'm a skinflint. I buy only remanufactured computers and only remaindered printers. But most of the world, I know, doesn't work that way. As TC says, kudos to Intel.
NY Times – once again a brilliant analysis of a problem that doesn't have just one answer. I can only add that there might be individuals that don't fit in anywhere and who would need to be considered on an individual basis, but I'll bet you thought of that too and just didn't want to take the room to say it.
TPM – When Mississippi can shock Alabama, that is definitely news. The quoted Alabaman witnesses sound like very nice ladies actually. Apparently the judge wasn't just dressed up as a security guard, he was in fact moonlighting, therefore demonstrating incompetence at TWO jobs. He also did not limit his hatred to race, telling one vendor he "did not take orders from a woman." Altogether a real piece of work. Sure hope they bounce him.
Cartoon – I feel your pain.
4:23 My blue eyes are still goig round and round after that puzzle.
3:36 Actually, I found it helpful that one side was green and the other beige. I didn't feel like I was going around and around.
Bigfooted! 🙁
4:58 – Puzzle – 😆
There shoulf be an exception for all that, through no fault odf their own, cannot get health care.
HI TC.
Just LOVE your cartoon. see that expression on the faces of my cats ,especially when they have gone out and caught their own rodent delight!.
Have a good one .
The rodent is much more enjoiyable on the way out. 🙂
Upworthy ~ I have no idea what is in my cel phone. I wouldn't even have one except Safelink provides one to me for free because of my low income. I only use it for emergencies in the car.
NY Times ~ People will always opt out of healthcare for one reason or another. I hope they are making the right decision and not hurting themselves in the long run. I, too, feel sorry for the low-income people in those red states where they are refusing to expand Medicaid because they hate our President.
TPM ~ I'm sure that some day he will find a very warm welcome in Hell.
Cartoon ~ Poor Puddy-tat.
Poor? I was having FUN!! 😈
Following a shooting incident in a Wal-Mart store when a shopper was accidently shot by another patron when his gun fell from the waistband of his pants (he had a permit) …
http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/Police-Woman-injured-by-accide_1401064017
Wal-Mart had developed a New Slogan:
Classic!
Very apropos slogan.
Upworthy: I am subscribed to Walk Free and Upworthy but had somehow missed this video. Signing the petition. We need to all be more cognizant of what is in the articles we are buying.
NY Times: The only way the ACA will work is if everyone participates. I agree with you, TC
TPM: Is there never going to be an end to this racism? Sad that this could happen in this century.
Cartoon: Funny!
Amen Edie!
Puzzle — 3:36 Actually, I found it helpful that one side was green and the other beige. I didn't feel like I was going around and around.
Upworthy — Until we are aware and demand change, things will stay the same. We will have conflict minerals. I am glad that you brought this up because now I can say I want Intel in my electronics.
NY Times — I agree with you. In states that refuse to support the expansion of Medicaid, the poor will get shafted if such a plan is put in place. But then, those will be red states and the poor and middle classes are already getting shafted in other ways. It really is sad that government for, of and by the people is such a misnomer.
TPM — A true Grumpy Old Phart! I think this guy is toast as a judge. I googled him and he looks like a mean SOB.
Cartoon — Shouldn't the caption read "I love that spicey food, BUTT . . . "?
Good point Lynn, but demand Intel coinflict free. I bet they also make some of thje old ones until the neww ones are phased in.
Someone above mentioned Red States refusal to accept Medicaid money to help the working poor have the ability to see a Doctor… Living in Florida, my calls for a change go unanswered via the Republican party…