I’m writing for tomorrow, day 181. I’m sorry about yesterday. I just ran out of gas and had to recharge. Tomorrow is a holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Ord. My Broncos’ have the featured Sunday night service with the the Fortyniners. I’m glad it’s at home.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:11 (average 4:40). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: Right now, income inequality is the highest it’s been in our society since 1928. A lucky few in America make billions, while millions of others struggle just to get by. Nowhere is this gap more apparent than in the 4,100 plus Walmart stores across the country. Rob Walton and his family have amassed an empire of riches, and they built it on the backs of the working poor. The consequences of such skewed earning potential – where the family on top is worth $150 billion while their employees earn less than $25,000 per year – are significant and unsustainable.
As the nation’s largest employer, with $15 billion in profits annually, Walmart can afford to pay their employees a livable wage. Instead, they choose to manipulate schedules and hours to pay the majority of their workers abysmal wages. Sandra Sok, who works in Phoenix Walmart Store #5331 is a perfect example. After eight years of service to the company, she still struggles for enough work and income to make ends meet. She pleads with management every week for additional shifts because the 30 hours she is usually scheduled for simply aren’t enough. Sandra’s done her part to help Walmart succeed – she deserves more than poverty pay in return.
Many workers like Sandra are forced to rely on food stamps, health care assistance and other taxpayer-funded programs to get by. So while the Walton family alone has as much wealth as 43% of American families combined, the American people still have to pick up the tab for the Walton’s appalling business practices. And it’s not cheap: Walmart is estimated to cost the taxpayers $6.2 billion annually through public assistance costs, with expenses ranging between $3,015 and $5,815 per worker. All the while, Walmart and the Waltons are taking $8 billion a year in tax breaks that subsidize their low-wage business – and add to their profits. It is estimated that the family has avoided paying $3 billion in taxes by using special trusts to dodge estate taxes.
It’s time to end this charade and shut down the Walmart scam.
Click through for more. If you must enter Wal-fart, go to leave methane, not money.
From Upworthy: I come from a Caribbean immigrant household. Even with all the advances gay rights have made in America in the last few years, my family is still pretty much stuck in 1950. There are, of course, a few exceptions — shoutout to my sister Loree!
After watching this clip and hearing the crazy things this family says, this scenario playing out in the lives of every gay person with a less-than-accepting family would be a beautiful, absurd, and hilarious step forward.
That’s hilarious, but I can see it happening.
From TPM: The Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal from the Justice Department and civil rights groups who were trying to prevent the Texas voter ID law from being enforced in the November election. As you’ll recall, a district judge found the law to be unconstitutional last week because it intentionally discriminated against minority voters. But the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and now the Supreme Court have blocked that ruling from going into effect while appeals are pending. That clears the way for Texas to enforce the law in the upcoming election.
You’ve got it fight. A District Judge has ruled that this law is racist. It INTENTIONALLY discriminates against minority voters. But the Fascist Five Injustices from SCROTUS (Republican Constitutional VD) say, go ahead and discriminate, as long as it’s on appeal.
Cartoon:
13 Responses to “Open Thread–10/19/2014”
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Thanks TC – sorry extra poorly today, can't make sense to save my life, but I read everything still (and laugh at the methane in WalMart!).
5:32, average up to 5:05. That's a pretty big lunch for a kitteh. Hope you have room in the fridge and in the freezer.
Daily Kos – Please do click through, and at least a bunch of the comments as well. You will see the author, Rep. Grijalva, is sponsoring legislation in the House which is being sponsored in the Senate by Elizabeth Warren to regulate how workers' schedules are determined. It would not solve the problems, but would make a dent in the lives of workers like Sandra. Grijalva is a good man. A number of Progressives were putting him forward for an appointive position a while ago, without success, which may be just as well if he can come up with bills like this. I don't remember whether it was in Labor or EPA; he is strong on both.
There is a letter to sign on the 'net in support of WalMart workers in anticipation of Black Friday. 1789 stores are organizing events. If I can find a link I will come back and add it, or maybe someone else has it. (Jim P? Are you listening?)
Upworthy – There's always been a component in homophobia (actually, any disapproval of any kind of sex) of suspecting the ones disapproved of are getting WAY more than the disapprovers, hasn't there? Marriage, like life, is about so much more than sex.
TPM – It was kind of predictable that the magnificent Ruth Ginsburg would have something to say about this. There may be a mention in the mainstream media, but if you find one, don't tell me – I don't want to faint. Otherwise, you can go to http://www.care2.com/news/member/827551733/3814482 to get the scoop. (As always, you don't need to be a member to read, only to comment.)
Cartoon – So I guess they are thinking of Ebola. I wondered whether they might be even more afraid of being infected with respect for people of all skin colors.
Daily Kos: Income Equality. DOJ should sue Walmart!
Upworthy: “I think we pretty much got it”… lol!
TPM: Discrimination against minority voters continues to be racist thanks to the SCROTUM 5. Unbelievable. GOP/TP cannot win an honest election in Texas. Let us not forget that the women voters are also discriminated too with the Texan’s attitude towards women meaning that they are misogynists.
Cartoon: What is the “Kenyan Disease”?
Ginsburg issues blistering dissent to ‘racially discriminatory’ TX Voter ID ruling:
http://www.care2.com/news/member/827551733/3814482
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/10/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-issues-blistering-dissent-to-racially-discriminatory-texas-voter-id-ruling/
Jim, Thanks so much for all the links! The one I actually had in mind is this one:
http://www.care2.com/news/member/820934955/3813889
And the letition/letter it links to is not a Care2 petition so no question anyone can sign (I think you could if it was a Care2 petition also, but I haven't tried that).
Petition signed in Joanne’s comment box above. Thanks for the link.
2:35 Big Bird looks just like the ones I have here. Sorry TC no Heron for you today.
3:46 I broke a wing trying to keep up with Patty.
3:03 When I go walking at Rocky Point Park, I often see herons wading in the salt marshes, shallows of the inlet. They stand so perfectly still that sometimes you miss them. Then they snap up a fish and you know they are there.
Daily Kos ~ Anything that stops WalFart is good by me. This Bill woud be better than nothing. on another note, Janet Yellen said that income inequality hasn't been this bad since the 1900s. I watched her speech last week and I really like her so far. We have regressed back to the days of the Robber Barons. The rich want a class-based society and consider themselves Royalty. She also said that the American people deserve help more than Wall St. did. It woud be nice if something comes of this.
Upworthy ~ LOL I can see this happening too.
TPM ~ Some politician just said last week that Jim Crow laws didn't exist anymore. He was a little off the truth.
Cartoon ~ Does the Kenyan disease turn you into a Muslim?
What the HELL is a "Kenyan disease"?
Daily Kos: While all of us need to boycott Wal Mart, it is not always possible. They have gone into smalltowns and rural areas and driven out all the smaller businesses. I rarely go to Wal Mart, but on occasion, have to to find what I need. I hate it when I do.
Upworthy: If we could get some of my family to participate, I am sure some of their questions would be just as dumb, despite the fact that we have two gay people in the family. Most of them pretend it isn't so.
TPM" Of course, we should not be surprised at the Scotus ruling. They are goose stepping to their base.
Cartoon: No doubt this would be the reaction.
Puzzle — 3:03 When I go walking at Rocky Point Park, I often see herons wading in the salt marshes, shallows of the inlet. They stand so perfectly still that sometimes you miss them. Then they snap up a fish and you know they are there.
Daily Kos — Wal-Fart is one place that the few times I have gone in, leaves me feeling dirty. Knowing Wal-Fart, they'll figure a way to bottle the methane, refine it and then sell it back to the public. . . rather like Néstle does with water.
Personally, I think the government should determine a living wage and use that to deduct from the corporate welfare Wal-Fart receives. It is scandalous, ney criminal, that an operation (sic scam) like Wal-Fart should get away with robbing the public purse.
Upworthy — This would definitely not happen amongst my friends, but sadly I can see it happening elsewhere. Just what is so incomprehensible about 2 people in love with each other getting married?
TPM — Just one more reason why a Democratic dominated Congress is desperately needed. With a Democratic dominated Congress, impeachment of the Injustices of SCOTUS would be possible. Let's start with Scalia and Thomas, move on to Alito and Roberts. I can dream can't I?
Cartoon — I don't know what the Kenyan disease is, but if Inspector Goosestep is so concerned about getting it, it must be something to be desired.
Thanks all. Pit stop. I figures that fromn the perspective of Inspecter Goosestep, a Republican conspiracy theorist, the Kenyan disease most be Ebola, so they can accuse him of importing it from hos home country.