I’m writing for tomorrow, day 25. This is the only article, because today is a dead news day and a lazy day for a TomCat. Tomorrow is a holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb. My Broncos’ service is with the Kansas City Chiefs, but in these circumstances, they’re just Officer Wilson’s team. They have the Sunday Night game and will be nationally televised.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 2:46 (average 4:16). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Alternet: One of the ways reformers are trying to reduce the use of excessive police force is by requiring police officers to wear body cameras. Cities like Cleveland are moving toward requiring more officers to wear cameras to ensure accountability.
But a case out of Denver shows that not all police are so keen to be recorded. This past August, a group of police officers attempted to arrest David Nelson Flores for suspected drug possession. When he stuffed a sock in his mouth and refused to open his mouth, one of the officers struck him in the head repeatedly. “Those were the hardest punches I have ever heard, said Levi Frasier, a bystander who witnessed the beating.
But police did not limit their use of force to Flores. They also tripped his girlfriend, who was almost eight months pregnant at the time. Luckily for Flores and his girlfriend, Frasier recorded the entire incident on his tablet. But the police took his tablet and deleted the video. At least they thought they deleted it. When Frasier got home he discovered the video file reappeared once the tablet synced with the cloud server.
I’m surprised that the local Fox affiliate is not goose-stepping with the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise. This account makes it painfully clear that all police need to be wearing a camera that record their actions.
From Crooks and Liars: I’ve been arguing with fellow progressives for more than a decade about our lack of outreach to the white working class. It’s time. If we want to get a solid majority that lasts long enough to make real change, we’d damn well better start:
ATLANTA (AP) — Southern Democrats are joining others in the party who say that a return to advocating to lift people out of economic hardship and emphasizing spending on education and public works will re-energize black voters and attract whites as well.
"It’s time to draw a line in the sand and not surrender our brand," Rickey Cole, the party chairman in Mississippi, said. He believes candidates have distanced themselves from the past half-century of Democratic principles.
Amen.
From Raw Story: A staffer for Republican Rep. Stephen Fincher (TN) took to Facebook this week to attack Sasha and Malia Obama, President Barack Obama’s daughters, for failing to show what she deemed to be sufficient respect for their father’s annual pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey.
According to Gawker, Elizabeth Lauten, former new media political director for the Republican National Committee, wrote an open letter to the two girls, attacking their facial expressions and clothing choices.
Nothing is despicable for Republicans.
Cartoon:
25 Responses to “Open Thread–11/30/2014”
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News came in at midnight last night (9 hours ago as I type) that Darren Wilson has resigned…. it remains to be seen what he will walk away to get – a job perhaps at Faux, with the TP or with the KKK?
Alternet – you are right TC, cameras should be mandatory for officers with the amount of bad things going on – it would protect the innocent wherever they are and sort the sheep from the wolves. I snorted with laughter when I saw the video that had been secretly deleted after threatening an innocent witness was in the Cloud, so safe – but they will find a way round that soon, if they get control of the internet. What a terrible bunch of people to be in charge of law and order – didn't anyone EVER tell that Police Dept that they are supposed to be setting an example to law abiding citizens – and NOT setting an example of bullying, violence and coersion (and who knows what else – if you can't trust a man in small things you can't trust him in big things) to criminals?!
Crooks and Liars – yes! Please, everyone, communicate with your voters – and may the heads of the Democratic Party get some principles back and defend their voters' interests, not the plutocrats who give them money!
Raw Story – good grief the Repuglicons are scraping the bottom of the barrel aren't they – attacking minors who are not in political office – must be a slow news day there.
2:47 ~ TC knows a tasty meal when he sees one. This is a Rooster though. Hens don't have coxcombs like this.
2:54 He scared me away. Come on, Lynn. Make it a first…all four of us under 3 minutes.
2:42 Will that do Critter from this dumb cluck?"
Hey! That was my lunch!!
Wow! I am under 3 minutes and still number 4.
4:43 average up to 4:26. Usually no one beats TC to lunch …
That would be EX-Officer Wilson's team. I posted the headline last night, but offered no comment (unless "Woo-hoo!" is a comment.) But upon reflection, that came fast didn't it? Does anyone suppose it was a condition of the Grand Jury being run so as not to indict?
Alternet – Privacy nut that I am, I never expected to be saying Thank God For The Cloud. But it obviously has its uses, and this one is a dilly. I apologize for Colorado BTW. This was utterly disgraceful.
Crooks and Liars – A common theme here. Nice to see it being taken up. Weird to see that coming from the South. It's not as if we have to start from ground zero. We have progressive Democrats. Some of them are even old white men, as I think I said just yesterday. But I do caution that we don't want to woo the white working class the same way the Republicans do, or we will have no morals. We need to get some words re-defined. And pronto.
Raw Story – "Dress like bar sluts," hmm? How much time does this staffer spend in bars that she knows so well how "bar sluts" dress? I did like the comment that after the Bush chicks problems with alcohol this was a pretty ironic thing to say. You did notice the swipe she also took at Barack and Michelle? So she clearly has no judgment at all.
Cartoon: The Mark Twain Humor Prize award was on PBS about a week ago. Jay Leno won this year. The jokes were just jokes, but I loved what he said about his wife Mavis. It reminded me of what George Burns used to say about Gracie. I love a man who gives credit to his wife.
They said Wilson would not rfeturn to work early on.
I think Darren Wilson will be offered a job by FAUX as a Law Enforcement "Expert". After all, he must be wise beyond his years. ABC paid him $500,000 for an interview.
Alternet ~ As of this year all the local NYS Troopers, Oneida County Sheriffs and Utica PD wear lapel cameras. These were supplied by Grants. It's a good thing. You will always have thugs and they are sometimes in uniform. I think the cameras are needed to protect us from them.
Crooks & Liars ~ The whites have drifted away from the Democratic party because they think only the Rethugs represent Whites anymore. They are just too dense to realize the truth.
Raw Story ~ She has since realized the error of her ways and has apologized. Elisa Doucette of Forbes thinks she fell short. Excellent essay explaining why. http://www.forbes.com/sites/elisadoucette/2014/11/30/the-art-of-apologies-and-why-elizabeth-lauten-failed-miserably-at-hers/2/ If you read it, along with the original FB post which is included, you will see what a lame apology it was. So typical RepublicanT.
Cartoon ~ A wonderful day for readers of all ages!
Lame is an understatement!
Wait a second. Wait a second. WAIT … A … SECOND! St. Louis is on the OTHER side of the state, ~ 250 miles away, so don't try that "Guilt by Association" by linking our fine Kansas City Chiefs w/ ex-cop Darren "I-Used-My-Get-Out-Of-Jail-Card" Wilson with us!!!
Hey, Liz Lauten – I'd be grateful if you could provide some links with your comments about Jenna Bush. To help you refresh your memory of her history of finding a spot at the bar, falling-down drunk debauchery while smoking let me provide you a few candid shots:
https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=600&q=jenna+bush+drunk&oq=jenna+bush+drunk&gs_l=img.3…2321.9395.0.9673.41.24.10.5.4.1.279.2876.0j15j3.18.0….0…1ac.1.58.img..15.26.2620.53a24cNiv0w
And Liz, since you're so worried about their dressing like "BAR SLUTS" – maybe you'd care to comment on this candid one of YOU (You're the one on the right, right? DAMN RIGHT!)
http://images.dailykos.com/images/117949/large/Sarah_Valerio_Elizabeth_Lauten2_1_.jpg?1417306053
PS Liz –
Since you didn't think Malia and Sasha looked happy enough at the Turkey pardoning, try these out when Pres. Obama took them book shopping yesterday in support of small businesses.
http://omnifeed.com/article/www.businessinsider.com/r-obama-and-daughters-hit-bookstore-for-small-business-saturday-2014-11
http://nypost.com/2014/11/29/obama-takes-daughters-shopping-for-small-business-saturday/
Happy enough for you now, Hon?
Oh, don't stop there, Nameless, tell us how you REALLY feel! Your research, and your presentation of it, had me ROTFL. If WordPress had a Recommend button like Daily Kos or a Green Star button like Care2, I would definitely be on it for this.
Nameless, demeaning whomever my Broncos are about to play is a religious obligation, and making fun of their name would appear racist. I agree. They are a fine team.
Hey, TC!! I’ll be watching the Ellipsoid Orb worship with you! Now, let’s not group all Missourians in that hot mess! The Rams are St. Louis. And the Chiefs have a decent chance of winning, sad to say. I love my Broncos as much as you, TC. You know that. But, it may be a hard night for The Great Peyton!!
Alternet: ALL “policemen” should be wearing cameras. Needed them since the cameras got small enough to be worn without interfering with their “work”. Again, thank goodness for “The Cloud”!! This is a very good example why everyone should be running a video every time they see a cop stopping someone. You never know how things like this can escalate or who does the escalating!
Crooks and Liars: Everyone should be bringing people into the fold of the Democratic Party!!
Raw Story: I have been waiting to comment on this!! So, Liz Lauten, you are able to tell people how their kids should be raised??? Maybe someone should have told YOUR PARENTS to teach you that “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything AT ALL!!!” Her stabs at the first daughters was immature, ignorant and downright hateful!! These girls are the epitome of class and grace!! Just look at the Bush girls for an example how children SHOULD NOT ACT while their parent is the leader of our country! They have a lot of room to talk, now don’t they??
OK. Cool cartoon, TC!! I love Mark Twain and his stories!!
Wooo Hooo Broncos. See my reply to Nameless.
I like all the historic Mark Twain preservation here in No. CA.
Fincher is a disgrace to his office with this behavior and demeans it for all his peers.
Yeah–listening to constituents, including white working class, and explaining how proposals and policies address their needs is good politics no matter who you are.
Rule of thumb for news junkies on whether police might've behaved inappropriately:
Were there reports of being inappropriate during Occupy protests (Denver was on that list)?
Did courts dismiss charges against Occupy protesters? (NYC for example)
Did courts rule against police dept. (e.g., property destruction/confiscation like NYC & Occupy protesters and Sacramento and the homeless)?
Did DOJ or a court find civil rights violations in the vicinity (Sheriff Joe, Wilson's old dept., Oakland…)?
I've read of at least one case where officer's camera malfunctioned–witness's actually confirmed officer's version in that case, though–but witness hesitated coming forward because of frequent harassment of innocent family members by the police–so won't be a perfect solution.
Good points.
And in defense of the St. Louis Rams – you gotta love their pre-game intro with the "HANDS UP – DON'T SHOOT!" salute protest:
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/rams-hands-up-pregame
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2855253/Five-St-Louis-Rams-players-field-arms-raised-hands-don-t-shot-gesture-solidarity-Ferguson-protesters.html
Mt Broncos shot. 😉
Glad you had a lazy day!
Alternet: This is an example of what CAN happen to anyone during an arrest. I am glad so many cities are requiring the video cams for their officers. The good ones have nothing to fear, the bad ones like these are less apt to mistreat those they are arresting. I understand that they have to defend themselves if they are threatened, but we have some with a WAR mentality and they consider all citizens a threat. I hope the video forces the Denver PD to take appropriate action against these cops.
Most southern Democrats have not acted like Democrats for a long time now. Too many of them are dinos, and don't pay attention to their base. They definitely do need to get their act together, and soon.
Raw Story: HOw low can they go? This shows very well, anyone who attacks teenage girls for their facial expressions and choice of clothing needs to wake up to the real world.
Cartoon: I for one, am so grateful he was born and learned to read and write. I still get pleasure from his books and anecdotes.
You're right about Southern Dems/
My apologies everyone for being gone for 2 days. I could not connect to the internet — IP address invalid and/or gateway not available were the reasons given. Most infuriating! I suspected that my modem might be calling it quits, but now I am connected so I don't know.
Puzzle — 2:42 Will that do Critter from this dumb cluck?
FF — I see TC that I am ahead of you, 130.62 to 122.06, just bearly by hairs on my chiny-chin-chin. 4th quarter and neither of us has a game on Monday. Yes TC, you did create a Sasquatch!
FF Update — 130.32 to 121.96 final, Stompers over Trashers. One of my benchers has a Monday game, but I understand that doesn't count.
Alternet — I think the body cams are a good idea and police should not "fear" them. They will show the good, the bad, and the ugly. That sounds like a good movie title! Vancouver city police are getting over 200 of the cams over the next few years as budgets allow. There have been a number of situations that warrant their use. I live in Port Moody, part of Metro Vancouver, which has its own police force. To my knowledge, they do not have body cams and I don't recall any excessive force allegations . . . not even when dealing with the Bacon brothers . . . our gang and drug boys.
Crooks and Liars — "He believes candidates have distanced themselves from the past half-century of Democratic principles." — I tend to agree. When I watched these last midterms, I was inundated with e-mails from the Democrats, always with their hands out trying to lift my wallet. The other part was the outright shaming of people if they did not donate. Democrats seemed to be "trying to keep up with the Joneses" (Joneses = Republicanus/Teabaggers) in financial terms, but in so doing they were selling their souls to the political devil and were bearly distinguishable from Republicanus/Teabaggers. For me, it was almost as if they didn't believe in their own professed values and principles.
Raw Story — As I read, I thought of the Bush girls and their highjinx, and then, at the end of the article there it was: "… the comments seemed particularly ironic given the numerous alcohol-related charges racked up by Bush’s daughters during the last Republican presidency.” I don't think despicable is a strong enough word to describe Lauten. Off with her head!
Cartoon — Actually, his birthdate is 30 November 1835 according to several sources, not 1865. I wonder if he was a Republican — "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please."? If he wasn't, the modern Republicanus/Teabaggers certainly listened to his advice,
You had some amazing performances. I've had trouble for a long time, because I had ti get rif of two of my original three starting runners. I had both Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice. I dumpede bith even before they were suspended.
Thanks all!