I’m writing for tomorrow, day 78. I’m waiting for Store to Door to deliver my groceries and listening to Republicans bluster and whine about yesterday’s SOTU address. Tomorrow is a prison volunteer day. I will write before I leave to upload after I return, if there is time.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:03 (average 5:07). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: President Obama is courting controversy with his decision to address a group that has become dominated in recent years by extremists.
Some have questioned the appropriateness of the President speaking to such an extremist group, especially because in the past it has issued threats against the United States government.
As recently as 2013, for example, the extremists threatened to shut down the entire federal government if their demands were not met.
Andy does raise a valid point. Should Obama be criticized for negotiating with these terrorists?
From Daily Kos: Recently, I was sitting at my computer, typing away, when I heard the door opening and closing in the next room. It was around lunchtime, so I figured it was my brother (he came home for lunch, once in awhile). I turned toward the doorway, and was stunned to see a uniformed Pennsylvania state trooper striding into the room.
He began peppering me with questions, asking if I lived there, for example, and for me to identify myself. Of course I did (because I did not really want to die or anything like that, the guy was packing a gun, you know?) I was brought up to fear the police; I was taught at an early age that the state police force was originally formed to break the unions, by any means necessary. Also, I knew a lot of people who had been hassled by the cops. My parents had the talk with me (no, not that one, the one about how to survive an encounter with the police). Yeah, poor white boys get that talk too. Yes, I know that racism is a much bigger factor than classism, but that does not matter when a cop is in your house.
After I answered every question he had, I did venture a very polite question, basically, why are you here and why didn’t you knock? The police officer then informed me that he had probable cause to enter my house, because I had posted a "No Trespassing" sign.
In a Republican Reich, scenes like this become daily events.
From NY Times: …Perhaps no organization commands more deference in Republican politics nowadays than the sprawling operation established by the Koch brothers. And this week, the intense competition among Republicans for their embrace and attention will break out into the open. An invitation-only group of 2016 hopefuls will travel to a resort near Palm Springs, Calif., for the Koch brothers’ annual winter seminar, kicking off the so-called Koch primary.
Its that time again. Will Scalia and Thomas be in attendance again? And which Republican will prove best at sucking … nevermind.
Cartoon:
25 Responses to “Open Thread–1/22/2014”
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3:44 Don't hurt yourself trying to eat this.
3:10 Patty, that`s what puddy tat claws are for . . . scooping out escargot from their shells . . . after the butter and garlic are applied of course! More to enjoy when licking the claws and cleaning up after the meal.
3:34 I am the snail in the picture…at least compared to Lynn and TomCat.
Look out! TomCat might pour butter and garlic on you then skewer you for a tasty snack!
Pass the arlic and butter!
New Yorker ~ He should definitely be criticized if he gives in to any of Congress' demands but I see no harm in negotiatiating and throwing the dogs an insignificant bone.
Daily Kos ~ You would think we were living in pre WW II Europe judging by some of the policemen's Gestapo tactics. Now they have xrays which enable them to see inside your house. Downright scary!
NY Times ~ It's the Kochs' favorite event. Everyone fawns all over them and like you said, "never mind".
Cartoon ~ Of course, they want to overturn this but forget about overturning Citizens United. The GOP women didn't like this action though. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/22/1359434/-The-so-called-Republican-womens-revolt-on-abortion-bill-is-revolting-and-hypocritical
4:41 average up to 5:10 I'll bet the snail isn't tasty.
New Yorker – Priceless. I akso noted a link to the newest one, also priceless, if not quite as pointed.
Daily Kos – Yes, that took my breath away when I read it. I didn't read all the comments, but I read far enough to know he is not going to file a complaint for fear of reprisals. Like you say, daily events in a Republican Reich.
NY Times – I do hope it gets infiltrated again and that there are videos and testimony.
Cartoon – Sigh. You do know about the women in El Salvador who were prosecuted and are in prison for having experienced natural miscarriages, right? http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/el-salvador-must-reverse-terrible-injustice-and-free-woman-imprisoned-having-miscarriage-2015-0 While looking for this link I noticed fracking (fumes and water) has been implicated in increasing the likelihood of miscarriages, Talk about blaming the victim!
Sorry, more bad newa:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-city-national-bank-royal-bank-canada-20150122-story.html
At least it is a well known Canadian bank that is 1st or 2nd largest in Canada. Also, look at the premium being paid to stockholders!
Thanks Joanne.
Two petitions (Act now); End the ban on abortion in El Salvador
and
Unnecessary burden
plus other actions
https://campaigns.amnesty.org/campaigns/my-body-my-rights
For a more complete list of actions to take and do for Amnesty International, use this link:
http://writeforrights.amnesty.org/
I tried to sign this petition, but it said had an error message when I signed it. Will try again.
Jim, I too tried to sign, got an error message.
Hmmm… I just tried both links which I provided and they worked for me. A glitch somewhere. Try again later when you have the time. Sorry for the inconvenience. Hugzzz.
Both links worked for me. Thanks Jim.
New Yorker – I do agree TC.
Daily Kos – what the heck?! What is happening to America – the rest of the world take note – you are next if they succeed in the US.
NY Times – makes you yearn for divine intervention of some sort. I think this year all their deliberations will be kept extra secret – God help us all!
I would exercise my right to remain silent. 😆
New Yorker:
Extremists did shut down the government and it was orchestrated by Ted Cruz. By the way, this "TP extremist" owes the taxpayers $24 billion dollars for the "shutdown"..
Daily Kos:
Yes, a sensor that can read inside a home was featured on the Rachel Maddow Show recently. Sensors have been around for years. The technology has improved over the years. Now, this military application has been given to various police departments across the country. Hmmm… are you spy able, spy worthy…
NY Times:
Yep, the GOP/TP beggars will be out in force, bowing, kneeling to get a favoritism rating and bundles of money, from Koch Bros.black bag boogymen, to run for the candidacy nomination for POTUS.
Cartoon:
Yep, Barefoot and Pregnant women is the GOP/TP way with no health rights at all.
Rachel talked about the abortion bill briefly as a breaking news last night by the GOP/TP women. More news on this topic, the GOP/TP Abortion Bill, may be on Rachel Maddow Show tonight (Thursday, Jan 22, 2015).
"The so-called Republican women's 'revolt' on abortion bill is revolting … and hypocritical"
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/22/1359434/-The-so-called-Republican-womens-revolt-on-abortion-bill-is-revolting-and-hypocritical
Don't they get bored with same old ineffective rhetoric? Or does that only happen to bright people?
I hate how the GOP chose to dishonor this anniversary of more freedom for women.
Since when is protecting property rights suspicious activity? Is the GOP and police state trying to erode personal property rights and transform us into a country where the government has taken over all property rights? Isn't that a sign of communism or socialism?
AB is still doing straight reporting…sigh
Puzzle — 3:10 Patty, that`s what puddy tat claws are for . . . scooping out escargot from their shells . . . after the butter and garlic are applied of course! More to enjoy when licking the claws and cleaning up after the meal.
The New Yorker — "White House defended the President’s decision to speak to the extremists, pointing out that the Administration had also initiated dialogues with Iran and North Korea ." — IMO, Andy is reporting news again, although I think there is more dialogue with Iran and North Korea than there is with the Congress, and I am not saying the problem is at the White House. It's hard to talk to the leader of the Congress when the prime skill on his résumé is not bending his opponent's arm through negotiation, but rather bending his own with a bottle of Jameson!
Daily Kos — This is ridiculous! Probable cause, my ass! What other signs of possible foreclosure were there? . . . a build up of mail? . . . a build up newspapers and advertising? Obviously (to me at least), this is a COP looking to make trouble.
NY Times — All the little Reich minister hopefuls will be on bended knee, sniveling, and sucking . . . nevermind hoping for that magical tap on the shoulder.
Cartoon — Get that veto pen ready to stiffle the elephant in the room.
Oh, and don't forget "in the kitchen" too.
This is just more and more of the rethuglicans revisiting laws that were made when I was less than a teenager! And that was quite a while ago!
Just wish that Pres. Obama could appoint someone to balance out this wackadoodle SCROTUS! They need some kind of lliberal to make this court get back to at least the middle!
The New Yorker: Love Andy, and this satire rings of truth, he was speaking to a group of extremists!
Daily Kos: I shared this on Facebook so my red friends can tell me how wrong I am tomorrow. The fear of terrorism is turning us into a police state and not enough people are paying attention to realize it.
NY Times: The Koch Brothers will soon be the real government for us as they are dictating what they want done and our politicians are doing it. Citizens United gave them more power than they all ready had. The America we grew up in will no longer exist, it hardly does now.
Cartoon: That is the way the GOP want all women to be, also to be underpaid and silent.
I hope you have a good day with your guys.
Thanks all. The prison meeting was great, except that when nit using my O2, I turned the bevel the wrong way and drained the bottle instead of turning it off. I had to walk a littlver 1/4 mile with no O2. So I'm shot. Hugs