I’m writing for tomorrow and trying to finish early, so I can rest. I still have not recovered from laundry. Day 63.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:50 (average 5:23). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos:
America’s gun death rates — both nationwide and in the states — dwarf those of most other Western industrialized nations. The gun death rate in the United Kingdom in 2011 was 0.23 per 100,000 while in Australia it was 0.86 per 100,000.
States with the Five Highest Gun Death Rates
(Rank State Household Gun Ownership Gun Death Rate Per 100,000)
1 Louisiana 45.6 percent 18.91
2 Mississippi 54.3 percent 17.80
3 Alaska 60.6 percent 17.41
4 Wyoming 62.8 percent 16.92
5 Montana 61.4 percent 16.74
States with the Five Lowest Gun Death Rates
(Rank State Household Gun Ownership Gun Death Rate Per 100,000)
50 Rhode Island 13.3 percent 3.14
49 Hawaii 9.7 percent 3.56
48 Massachusetts 12.8 percent 3.84
47 New York 18.1 percent 5.11
46 New Jersey 11.3 percent 5.46
For a list of gun death rates in all 50 states, Visit Here.
Lower gun ownership translates to fewer gun deaths. Also note the Red/Blue divide.
From Think Progress: The founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition — whose annual conference has become a rite of passage for likely Republican presidential contenders — compared the conservative opposition to same-sex marriage to slavery on Friday. The comments were first reported by Yahoo News’ Chris Moody.
In a speech during a breakout session at the group’s “Road to Majority” conference in Washington, D.C., Ralph Reed explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dred Scott, which resolved that slaves were the property of their owners even if they traveled to free states, was instructive for advocates fighting against marriage equality. Following the ruling, Reed argued, many believed the cause of abolition was doomed, but the decision actually energized anti-slavery advocates and they eventually triumphed.
Isn’t it just like a Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christian to cite the worst Supreme Court decision in history, prior to the crop of abominations from the Fascist Five Injustices of SCROTUS (Republican Constitutional VD)?
From Huffington Post: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Saturday night accused President Barack Obama and other Democrats of waging wars against religious liberty and education and said that a rebellion is brewing in the U.S. with people ready for "a hostile takeover" of the nation’s capital.
Jindal spoke at the annual conference hosted by the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a group led by longtime Christian activist Ralph Reed. Organizers said more than 1,000 evangelical leaders attended the three-day gathering. Republican officials across the political spectrum concede that evangelical voters continue to play a critical role in GOP politics.
"I can sense right now a rebellion brewing amongst these United States," Jindal said, "where people are ready for a hostile takeover of Washington, D.C., to preserve the American Dream for our children and grandchildren."
Many times I have put Republicans, who promote the hostile takeover of the US, on Parade for their criminal sedition. A common Republican complaint has been that these Republicans are isolated wing-nuts, not true representatives of the Republican Party. They have a point, this time. Jindal comes from the least insane fringe of the party.
Cartoon:
Hat-Tip to Carrie at Care2 for sending the picture I used to make this.
14 Responses to “Open Thread–6/23/2014”
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7:27 Oh, well, it's polo, not a race.
Daily Kos – I also see that the state with the FEWEST gun deaths, which looks really good compared to the worst ones, still has more that three and a half times as many as Australia (which also has a "Wild West" history period) and more than THIRTEEN TIMES as many as the UK. But, as Arielle (Care2) says, facts only confuse them. Also, to Lona (Care2), we do live in a banana republic, but only thanks to the gun nuts.
Think Progress – The conservative opposition to same sex marriage is a whole lot like slavery – they want to keep anyone who is "not like them" slaves. Same sex marriage, however, is not like slavery. It is more like emancipation. They brought it up, but it clearly is a comparison which is in our favor. Sometimes they do that. Like Rick Perry's comparison of LGBT to alcoholism – gues what, Rick, if you are born alcoholic, as most are you CAN NOT choose not to be an alcoholic. You can only choose not to drink You are still an alcoholic. If you are LGBT you can choose not to have sex at all, but that's a little bit like expecting people not to eat. Not gonna happen.
Huff Po: Same conference, hmm? So he wants to "preserve the American Dream for our children and grandchildren." How does he want to preserve it? In formaldehyde? Because it is deader than a doornail now. It doesn't need preservation, it needs resuscitation. And for that we need Democrats. But no doubt facts would only confuse him.
Cartoon – I sure wish you could really subdue that rat singlehandedly.
3:25 I wrapped those legs as fast as I could.
5:31 My horse kept kicking me.
3:13 This is no "old nag". I wanted bright purple stockings for my horse, just like my hair now.
Bigfooted!
Daily kos ~ I believe we actually have high gun ownership here in NY but we also have some very strict gun control laws. The laws are what make the difference. No open carry here either.
Think Progress ~ My jaw is stil hanging open after reading this one.
HuffPo ~ Is Bobby Jindal preaching treason? A hostile takeover of Washington, D.C.? Sure sounds like it to me.
Cartoon ~ Yup
I am a litle slow ,could some one explain the connection between Ralph Reed and Christianity? I am confused!
(Must have a different version of the New Testament than do I.)
He had a "salvation experience" in a bar and is nosw trhe head of tghe Repoublican Supply-side pseudo-Christian Faith and Freedom Coalition. Like many Republicans, heis a Dominionist.
In other words, he has absolutely nothing to do with authentic Christianity.
Missouri church lures young men to ‘follow Jesus’ with AR-15 assault rifle giveaway.
In an effort to “get more people to follow Jesus,” a Joplin, Missouri, church held a raffle giving away two Black Rain AR15 assault rifles.
On Father’s Day June 15, Ignite Church gave away two of the weapons as part of a marketing strategy to bring more young men into the fold, according to the Joplin Globe. Read the rest at:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/22/missouri-church-lures-young-men-to-follow-jesus-with-ar-15-assault-rifle-giveaway/
Jim, that is just pitiful.
Dang! Kill a Librul for Republican Supply-side Jesus! (the opposite ofr the real Jesus)
Puzzle — 3:13 This is no "old nag". I wanted bright purple stockings for my horse, just like my hair now.
Daily Kos — I didn't know that guns came in designer colours, or is it patriotic colours? High gun ownership/gun deaths show a definite predilection for red. I am very concerned right now because here in Metro Vancouver, we have had 3 shooting deaths in the past 2 weeks. My understanding is that these were all murders using hand guns which are illegal to own in Canada. Enough of this BS!
Think Progress — I wonder if I dare compare Republicanus/Teabaggerism to slavery. Let's see, they only answer to their master's (the Kochs and other corporate malingerers) voice; they do what their masters want; they walk in lockstep and parrot their masters. Right now, Texas has a case of denying putting the biological dads of 2 baby boys on their birth certificates because the dads are gay. They have listed the surrogate mother who has no biological connection on the certificate. The men were married in DC where marriage equality is the rule of law. Such a crock of cow pukey.
Huffington Post — "…said that a rebellion is brewing in the U.S. with people ready for "a hostile takeover" of the nation’s capital." I wonder if Jindal realises that this is sedition, or at least very close to it?
Cartoon — I love the cartoon. Carrie sent it to me too. I love the juxtaposition of the big furry Democrat and the pip squeak Bagger.
I am glad your paid helper showed up today to help you. Good help is impossible to find, any help is hard to find.
Daily Kos: These stats are horrifying. The people who are clamoring about their rights won't even look at them. I still fail to understand the mentality that refused to allow even a background check. HOwever, I wasn't surprised by the states with the highest percentages. These states are also high on the lists of reports of animal abuse.
Think Progress: Of course all these old white men can relate to slavery! They seem to be using it in a lot of comparisons these days, so they must.
Huffington Post: I vote we take Jindal and others who advocate a hostile takeover of our government and let the start their own state on a desert island somewhere.
Cartoon: That poor cat, being used to illustrate teabuggery. Cats get a bad enough rap.
Thanks all. Overslept!