I received some devastating news this morning. My friend, who is undergoing chemotherapy is also the one who drives me to Salem to do my volunteer work with my guys in prison. It’s sixty miles away. Her treatment providers have advised her to stop going for four months, because her immune system will be compromised by her treatment. So the only way I can go work with my guys before August will be to take the bus and spend the night in a motel. I figure I will be able to do that once. ARGH! I may be intermittent for the rest of the week, because tomorrow is a grocery delivery day, and Friday is my quarterly surgery on my foot. It will also be my first day out since getting sick.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 2:46 (average 4:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: A second effort in the Tennessee legislature to take up Medicaid expansion failed this week, meaning 280,000 Tennesseans still remain, needlessly, without any kind of healthcare coverage. When one of those Tennesseans confronted Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R), a wealth manager at Morgan Stanley about it, asking him if he’d be willing to give up his own insurance, well, Gardenhire showed his true colors.
One activist, Damien Crisp, asked Gardenhire if he would be willing to give up his own state-subsidized health insurance.
Gardenhire, in a video of the incident taken by another activist, turned around and said something along the lines of "Not giving it up, asshole" or, perhaps, "Why don’t you give it up, asshole?" ("Asshole" is the clearest part of his rejoinder.)
Barf Bag Alert!!
There is only one word demeaning enough to use to describe Gardenhire. He is a Republican.
From The New Yorker: The Republican Presidential candidate Ted Cruz’s constant references to Jesus Christ in his speeches and campaign ads are sparking a strong interest in atheism among millions of Americans, atheist leaders report.
Since Sen. Cruz (R-Texas) announced his candidacy two weeks ago with the words “God isn’t done with America yet,” a substantial number of Americans “have begun seriously questioning the existence of God,” said Carol Foyler, the executive director of the American Society of Atheists.
“It’s been amazing,” Foyler said. “We’re getting calls from people who are curious about atheism for the first time in their lives. And when we ask them what got them thinking about it, they all say the same thing: ‘I just heard Ted Cruz talk.’ ”
Foyler said that her group often notices a surge in atheism after natural disasters or other traumatic events that rattle people’s faith, but, she added, “We’ve never seen anything like Ted Cruz.”
After Cruz aired an Easter weekend campaign ad in which he spoke of the transformative power of Christ, Foyler said, “Our phones were ringing off the hook.”
Andy is so spot-on. People who do not realize that Republican Supply-side Jesus has nothing to do with and is the polar opposite of the Jesus worshiped by authentic Christians. That makes Republicans a premiere advertisement for atheism.
From Alternet: That time he shushed a female CNBC anchor on live TV
In the same interview (with CNBC anchor Kelly Evans), Paul spoke about a bill he was co-sponsoring with Sen. Barbara Boxer that would grant companies with assets overseas to bring it to the U.S. with a 6.5 percent “holiday corporate tax rate.” As Evans pressed Paul about the specifics of the bill, he became increasingly condescending: “Hey, hey, Kelly? Calm down a bit here, Kelly,” he said, before literally shushing her.
Bigger Barf Bag Alert!!
This is just one of seven ludicrous Rand Paul moments. Click through for the other six. He almost as misogynistic as the malignant troll… his daddy!
Cartoon:
20 Responses to “Open Thread–4/7/2015”
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4:17 average 4:54. Uncanny (groan).
Daily Kos – If there is an asshole here, it is pretty clear who it is. Although "Republican" is, as you say,, more damning.
New Yorker – So many atheists act so much more Christian than "Christians." The sweetest, kindest, most generous person I know is an atheist, amd an active one too, in the Freethinkers.
Alternet – No spuprise Idiot son of Idiot named after Idiot is a jerk.
Cartoon – Thank goodness there have been more. I believe Maya Angelou is to be so honored.
Also, I am so sorry about your friend. I also agree staying over is much harder than returning the same day – physically as well as financially.
Does anyone on this blog know anyone (including anyone who might know anyone) in Portland who could help TC with transporttion, or, alternatively, anyone in Salem with whom he could stay over as a guest if he takes the bus? My mother grew up in Portland, but anyone she knew is long gone (She was born in 1906 – and passed away in 2000).
P.S. Will wonders never cease:
The Washington Post
News Alert
Tue, Apr 7, 2015 5:25 PM (EDT)
S.C. police officer to be charged with murder in shooting death of unarmed black man
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/04/07/south-carolina-police-officer-will-be-charged-with-murder-after-shooting/
I saw this on the news today, I bet the officer will be found not guilty.
So sorry about your friend, Tom. Wish I could help you out. I have a grandson who lives in Newberg, Oregon. I take Amtrack down there to visit. Do not have a car or liscense as I did not want to learn to drive in a new City when I moved to Seattle. I do hope that someone can come to your aid.
Tom, I am so sorry about your challenges!
Oh, TC! Your guys will be missing you so much! So sorry to hear about your friend, also! I wish I knew someone that could help you out, or at least someone to guide you in the right direction on getting help.
Idiot, son of idiot, named after idiot is showing his true colors! Wow! They have no shame!
Hope you are feeling better. I know the surgery won’t be too much for you!
Peace and hugs for ya! Take care of yourself and don’t let this get you down!
3:33 I was busy looking for the film festival.
2:59 I was in Cannes and Nice very briefly in 1978. Walking some of the streets near the beach, one could still see some of the bullet holes in buildings from WWII. Both very picturesque. Jerry, you would have enjoyed the beaches there where women wore (and I assume still do!) monokinis . . . bottoms only! Very normal . . . even children make no nevermind about such things.
3:28 I was with Jerry. I wanted to see the movies.
They serve catnip flavored popcorn.,
What a bummer. But I hope your friend responds well to chemotherapy.
Got a chuckle when Rand Paul, announcing presidential his candidacy (chortle chortle) today simultaneously launched its related website. AND in the "Education" section he MISSPELLED it as "Eductation".
http://www.businessinsider.com/rand-paul-touts-eductation-policy-2015-4
What?!? You didn't hear about that? Quelle Surprise. (Bet it would have been the lead story if Hillary did it.)
I suppose you also didn't hear about Jeb Bush voter registering as a Hispanic, either.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jeb-bush-voter-registration-hispanic
That little "error" is potentially a felony.
Silly me … it's always and forever will be a case of IOKIYAR.
Puzzle — 2:59 I was in Cannes and Nice very briefly in 1978. Walking some of the streets near the beach, one could still see some of the bullet holes in buildings from WWII. Both very picturesque. Jerry, you would have enjoyed the beaches there where women wore (and I assume still do!) monokinis . . . bottoms only! Very normal . . . even children make no nevermind about such things.
Daily Kos — Gardenhire is a USDA 100% grade A Republicanus/Teabaggerum asshole! Obviously he didn't listen to Rmoney in 2012 . . . what's good for the goose is good for the gander! Gardenhire should put his money where his mouth is!
The New Yorker — “God isn’t done with America yet,” . . . but with any luck, the US IS done with you! You know, if the only choice was pseudo Christianity and Atheism, I'll take Atheism any day!
Alternet — "… In a free society, we will tolerate boorish people who have abhorrent behavior.” Is that why you are still around Rand Paul! I think some tar and feathers would look good on you as you're run out of politics on a rail.
Cartoon — More! More! More!!!
I am so sorry you are losing your transportation to Salem, I know how important your guys and work there are to you. Maybe someone could set up a GoFundMe account for you. I would if I knew how.
Daily Kos: This Tennesee legislator is like so many others in office, he is taken care of so he does not care if his constituents have insurance or not. They should publicize this all over the state
The New Yorker: My Dad taught us that God does not make mistakes. I am not so sure of this in the case of Ted Cruz. He could drive anyone away from Christianity.
Alternet: Once again, I apologize for my fellow Kentuckians who elected this clown. The only good that will come out of his running for President is that he will lose his Senate seat. Nothing he says or does surprises me anymore.
Cartoon: Thanks, I did not know this had happened that long ago.
Actually there's a "Donate" option right here on the site. It's under the "Lisa made me do it" label in the left-hand column close to the top.
I suppose GoFundMe may have a broader net, but GoFundMe takes their 5% cut off every donation, AND there's also a 2.9% "Service Fee" off every donation by WePay.
http://www.gofundme.com/pricing/
So a direct donation from TC's site itself provides more bang for the buck – and it's easy to do, too.
So very sorry to hear about your friend's enforced absence TC, I take it she is the one that I and others have been praying for?
NB TC – please try and train yourself not to touch your nose, eyes or ears except when you have just washed your hands to avoid getting germs from the buses you will need to catch. It took me a few days to do it (we do it unconsciously) but I am sure you will be quicker than I.
I think Edie's idea of a GoFundMe account is a good one – I don't know about that site, but they generally take a percentage of donations for admin (and profits where applicable) – but even so it sounds a good idea…
My blood pressure had been doing quite well – until I read those three articles – how do these vile people get elected (and that is the least of their vileness)…… how?!
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope her immune system recovers. Your guys will probably be devastated by the news that you won't be able to visit with them for so long. Maybe something else will come along.
Daily Kos ~ Typical TeapublicanT response to a sensible question. I've got mine, to hell with you!
New Yorker ~ Jesus wept.
Alternet ~ Rand Paul does not like answering questions. This AM on the Today Show, Savannah Guthrie tried interviewing him and ended up just shaking her head in disbelief. He lectured her on how to conduct an interview. I can't wait to see him in the Clown Debates. He will probably lecture the moderator.
Cartoon ~ A dark day for the racists.
Please everyone… do not make donations for me to go to do volunteer work with my guys in prison.. The issue is more the physical challanges that overnight travel on public transit than it is finances. Even if I have the money, I do not have the stamina to make such a trip more than once every other month. Thanks for caring.
Sorry, TC, we just want tohelp our fearless leader.
Thanks all, Hugs!
I empathize–one of my dearest friends had similar cancer news recently.
In some areas of CA, what are listed under limosine rentals are cheaper than round trip bus/train plus cheap motel.