I’m writing for tomorrow, day 143. I feel quite tired after yesterday’s prison volunteer day. It was a CoDA meeting, and I was only working with five guys, but their intensity made up for their low number. I learned that one now has his release date, so I told him that he had been stinking up the prison for far too long and it was about time they threw his useless ass right out of the prison. The wonderful thing about short timers with a brand new release date is you can do anything to them. Nothing wipes away the smile, :twisted: On a more serious note, we discussed dealing with a higher power and how different people have different concepts of what that means. Views ranged from evangelical to devout atheist, but the beauty is that the men honored each others beliefs. Store to Door will be delivering groceries soon and I’m still quite tired.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:30 (average 5:07). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Upworthy: Laverne Cox (“Orange is the New Black”) tells a personal story that touches upon tough questions of race and gender identity and expression. Her courage to be who she is, and to remain compassionate in the face of open taunts and public shaming, is truly inspiring.
Every moment of her talk is compelling, but if you’ve only got a few minutes, jump ahead to 4:37 to hear why she does not descend to the level of her attackers. The answer—and the question she poses—puts so much of bullying into simple, elegant perspective. Bravo to her for speaking up and speaking out.
I understand how people can oppress out of pain. What I don’t understand is how Republicans can look in the mirror when they exacerbate that pain and exploit it for the profit of the 0.1%
From Daily Kos: Rep. Robert Pittenger thinks it would be terrible, just terrible, if the law prohibited employers from firing people for being gay. Kind of like how smoking bans are terrible:
After assuring ThinkProgress that he “respects everyone” and “loves people,” Pittenger said he believes companies should have the right to fire or refuse to hire someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“You need to respect the autonomy of somebody running their business,” he said. “It’s like smoking bans. Do you ban smoking or do people have the right to private property? I think people have the right to private property. In public spaces, absolutely, we can have smoking bans. But we don’t want to micromanage people’s lives and businesses. If you have a business, do you want the government to come in and tell you you need to hire somebody? Why should government be there to impose on the freedoms we enjoy?”
Denying the rights of others is not a freedom. It’s a Republican act of InsaniTEA.
From The New Yorker: Harshly criticizing the current occupant of the White House, Dick Cheney told reporters on Wednesday, “Iraq would be stable today if I were still President.”
“ISIS is a problem that President Obama has made possible,” Cheney said during a press conference on Capitol Hill. “I never would have let that happen when I was Commander-in-Chief.”
I give up, Andy Where’s the satire?
Cartoon:
20 Responses to “Open Thread–9/11/2014”
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3:13 I tied TC up in knots with those ropes.
3:35 I got tangled in the ropes.
3:16 I stubbed my toe on a rope that Patty left lying around!
Mashed! Was I pooped or what?
4:58 Definitely something we 99%ers don't see every day.
It's definitely ironic that men in prison can show more respect for each other's beliefs than most of those in power outside the prison. It reminds me of the prof I had in college who once spent a week or so as a mental health in patient, and came out determined never to trust anyone "sane" again, since the people on the "inside" were so much more pleasant and kind. Sounds like it was well worth getting tired for.
Upworthy – Thanks, I only had a few minutes this morning, I'll come back to it. "Justice is what love looks like in public." Wow. Of course Republicans spell is "just us" so they cannot get on board with that definition. And if they did, they wouldn't be able to look at themselves in a mirror. So there's a partial answer for you, TC.
Daily Kos – Lovely how one thing ties into the next today, so far. "Just us" describes Pittenger perfectly. As asides, what kind of person enjoys trashing others? And who taught him to say "micromanage"?
New Yorker – I don't see any satire either. (I commented once that he didn't listen when his mother told him if he kept making that face it would freeze that way, which is why he now has a permanent sneer. Doesn't the "smile" in the picture look like it's excruciatingly painful?)
Cartoon: Yeah. I have a dear friend whose birthday is September 11. I'll try to call her later.
My guys would amaze you! I wish you could come in with me and meet them.
I would love to meet them, and I am sure they would impress and delight me. I'm not sure about amaze. My expectations are a little different from most people's.
Given your circumstances, I agree.
It's good to know yur guys are more tolerant of other people's beliefs than some "Christian" preachers on the outside.
Upworthy ~ How eloquent! She understands and doesn't lash out at the bullies. I hope it all stops soon. Maybe some day Love will conquer. Republicans do it fr the money. They have no conscience.
Daily Kos ~ I think Pettinger is trying to make a name for himself on the National scene. He's definitely out there!
New Yorker ~ TC, you're funnier than Andy today.
Cartoon ~ Too bad all the experts never got together and shared intelligence.
See my reply to Joanne.
I remember 9/11 as I saw, live on TV, at work after having given my shift report. I see having the image of the second tower being hit by a plane…
It's not one we'll forget!
Upworthy: "Justice is what love looks like in public" may be one of the most profound statements ever made. I love that one. I will never understand the hatred expressed against trans genders. They seem to be singled out to be tormented. Maybe some day the world will be a better place and no one will be bullied. Yes, I know, Pollyanna again.
Daily Kos: I read the article to see what state he represented. I feel so sorry for North Carolina right now.
The New Yorker: You are right, TC, where is the satire? We all know that Cheney pulled the strings while Dubya was in office.
Cartoon: This picture makes me sad. Will we ever know the whole truth about the events leading up to that day?
I am glad one of your guys is getting out and I hope he learned something from you that will make his homecoming successful.
I learned something from him too!
Puzzle — 3:16 I stubbed my toe on a rope that Patty left lying around!
Upworthy — As I was listening, I kept hearing the fist line of a Captain and Tenille song "Love, love will keep us together". She definitely has her head screwed on correctly. The world needs more people like her.
Daily Kos — "I think people have the right to private property." I agree that people have the right to private property, BUT the minute there is an employee or any customer within the said private property, it becomes public space, and the rights of others must be respected.
Further "…do you want the government to come in and tell you you need to hire somebody? " The government does not come into a business and say you have to hire someone. The law for a civil society only says WHEN you decide to hire someone, you can't discriminate.
This little insaniTEA driven Republlicanus/Teabagger really needs to retire and soon, VERY SOON!
The New Yorker — Cheney's wet dream to be the Commander in Chief. Fortunately, the American people clipped the puppet strings.
Cartoon — Indeed!
Poor rope!
I wouldn't have a problem if someone wanted to start restaurants or bars for smokers, but that's not the same. People would have thew choice whether or not to patronize.
So glad your meeting went so well TC – I do most sincerely wish that every prison in the world had a hundred volunteers like you, the world would be a much better place!
BTW – any typos for the next few weeks – I lost my glasses this morning and have llooked everywhere – even in the washing machine as I had put a wash in this morning (no, they weren't, sadly) – I have looked everywhere I think I have been and even places I don't think I have been – and had to book an appt to get my eyes tested next week – and the new glasses will take another 10 days! I am reduced to the following options – peering myopically at something/reading 'Better sight without glasses' – or blaming my utterly innocent dog! As I am not a Repuglicon, I shan't blame my dog – unless I find them buried in her bed of course!
Thanks Pat {{{blush}}}!
While it would be in very poor taste to blame a cat, blaming the dawg is perfectly OK. 😉
Thanks TC – gosh, it never even entered my head to blame HM The Cat – her Serene Highness Tabitha is (like all cats) perfectly capable of nesting apparently comfortably on a pair of glasses and watching with interest her human going around frantically looking for them – but I knew it wasn't her this time!
Cats are not to be blamed, eben when we are guilty! 😈