It’s another thoroughly busy day. I pulled out my old notebook computer. It’s been sitting in the suitcase without being touched for the last six months. So far, I’ve updates my AV program, Firefox, Flash, Java, CCleaner, Glary Utilities. Then Microsoft Update stared, and that might take a couple days. I figure it will take six days of wok to use it on a three day trip. ARGH!!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today‘s took me 3:21 (average 4:43). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Upworthy: This reporter turned the tables on a group of men who tried to disrupt her work, and it’s awesome.
And I thought Canadians were so polite! 😉 They acted like Republicans.
From Daily Kos: What does it take to make Republicans want to keep religious leaders out of politics? A pope who disagrees with them, apparently. Pope Francis’ recognition of a Palestinian state is just the latest of the pontiff’s positions that have Republican politicians trying to put him in his place.
“It’s interesting how the Vatican has gotten so political when ultimately the Vatican ought to be working to lead people to Jesus Christ and salvation, and that’s what the Church is supposed to do,” said Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), a hawkish defender of Israel.
So … Republicans get to use religion as a political club, but actual religious leaders should stay the hell out. We’ve got Texas Republicans trying to block marriage equality from being enacted, whatever the Supreme Court decides. We’ve got House Republicans passing yet another anti-abortion bill based more on religion than science. We’ve got an avalanche of bills legalizing discrimination in the name of religious freedom.
Republicans object to political action that stems from authentic faith, especially when it counters their own hatred. It is legal, because it is not imposed on others. Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christianity is the polar opposite.
From NY Times: The Miami-Dade state attorney’s office is combing through more than 150 criminal cases of black suspects arrested by Miami Beach police officers who wrote or received racist emails, the latest in a series of high-profile episodes around the nation that have raised troubling questions about the relations between the police and the communities they serve.
Two ranking officers at the Miami Beach Police Department sent about 230 emails that contained racist and sexist jokes and pornography from 2010-12, Chief Dan Oates announced Thursday. A former police captain, who had been demoted to lieutenant, was fired, and a major retired before the investigation was made public.
Fourteen other officers received the emails, the police department said.
Police Officer is clearly too responsible a position to give to Republicans like these.
Cartoon:
26 Responses to “Open Thread–5/16/2015”
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4:38 average (still) 4:43. The picture is clearly citrus, but the pieces looked more like peaches in progress.
Upworthy – Oh, Canada has Republicans all right. They call them Harper's Harlots. (I guess they call themselves Conservatives, though.) Seriously, this is certainly not a new problem, and it's about time for it to top being a problem. From a British music hall song of about a hundred years ago:
"My mother was a lady,/ Like yours, you will allow,
And you may have a sister/ Who needs protection now.
I've come to this great city/ To find a brother dear,
And you wouldn't dare insult me, sir,/ If Jack were only here!
Daily Kos – What is there to say about this? It has to be so obvious to anyone with half a brain and one eye that "working to lead people to Jesus Christ and salvation" is exactly what theRepublican brand of Christianity is NOT doing. So apparenty the Republicans who could even think about saying something like this are lacking half a brain and one eye. Getting through to them? Not likely!
NY Times – I wish it were someone I trust more than i trust the Miami-Dade state atorney, but it is better than nothing, And they have aready made some impact apparently.
Cartoon – Obviously I am missing something – sorry for my dumbness.
You're not alone in your "dumbness". I don't get the Cartoon either.
Just ordinary dirt–nothing like criminality of Watergate perhaps
I believe I was the one that coined harper's Harlots, many years ago.
I find it appropo
No, you quoted me on the Harper's Harlots handle. I''ve used that since about 2007, within a year of him coming to power. I probably used it on the site about 2011 0r 2012.
The Pope also has spoken out on income inequality and climate change and both Boehner and Ryan claim to be Catholics…yet I know it is an unrealistic dream to hope they'd follow the church on these issues like they have claimed they had to do on ones related to sexuality. So sad when people are only willing to take up the Cross when it fits with their personal agendas.
3:04 Too sour for the puddy-tat's tastes?
2:54 Love me some sweet oranges and fresh squeezed juice! My boys like pieces of orange, but not little Annie. She likes bananas! Will Jerry come along and take them away from my boys?
Ih he considers them his precious.
From the Puddy Tats care2 card today: "With outdoor weather coming, don't forget that there is a special spot in the outhouse for Republicans… right under the seat!! ;-)"
I disagree. Republicanus/Teabaggerum do not belong right under the seat, but rather belong in the pit, the deep outhouse pit, at a camp with dysentery!
Deeper works!!
Upworthy: This makes me so angry. How many more years will it take for men to realize that women are actually thinking, feeling, humans? Those young men thought they were funny, they were obnoxious.
Daily Kos: This Pope is actually making people have to THINK about their bigotry, and that is uncomfortable. Especially for the extreme right, who are so very comfortable in their feeling of superiority, and so sure they know what Jesus wants them to do. I have confronted a couple of these people on their hatred of gays and asked them where in the Bible can they show me a quote from Jesus about gays, of course, they cannot. I love this POPE! I have also pointed out that if they have their way, it is no different than the Sharia laws being passed, they really don't like that.
NY Times: While I know that there are many good police officers and that we really cannot do without them, I wonder how these racists get the jobs. There are too many of them everywhere.
Cartoon: I don't get it either.
Sorry you are having so much trouble with the updates. That happens to me, too, every time we go visit our son, the only time I take my laptop.
Love that last statement, Lynne! Couldn’t have said it any better!
Puzzle — 2:54 Love me some sweet oranges and fresh squeezed juice! My boys like pieces of orange, but not little Annie. She likes bananas! Will Jerry come along and take them away from my boys?
Upworthy — "And I thought Canadians were so polite! " — As I remarked just a few days ago, when you post a Jon Stewart video, I would automatically get a message saying that the video is not available here because we are too polite. It goes on to say that if we give up our universal health care and move to the US, we could watch Jon. Now, the part about being too polite is gone and the message jumps to giving up universal healthcare and moving to the US. They DID act like Republicanus/Teabaggerum and they have a homegrown example . . . Harper!
Daily Kos — I was listening to The Daily Show and Jon's guest was Reza Aslan. Aslan was talking about how we read scripture, whether it be the Qur'an or the Bible. We filter the verses through our own experience and our own being. Two people can read the very same verses of either book and mold the words to fit their individual ideas which are as different as night is from day.
"Republicans object to political action that stems from authentic faith, especially when it counters their own hatred. It is legal, because it is not imposed on others. Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christianity is the polar opposite." No surprise, I totally agree with you. And kudos to Pope Francis!
NY Times — There has to be a beginning and hopefully this investigation and firing signal a good start to cleaning house.
Tonight while I was in emergency, I witnessed a fairly young Port Moody constable talking to a teen, probably 15 or so, who had been beaten up and robbed. The teen was Middle Eastern based on appearance, and had a substantial build. What I witnessed was a compassionate constable who got the kid settled with ice to his face, carried his backpack when the kid was moved from one place to another, and then gave him his business card so the teen could call if necessary. As he left the teen, he said "Take care buddy." I was very moved by what I saw.
It is true, there are good and bad constables, and may there be very few bad ones. When the bad are uncovered, may they be fired and cities made safer.
Cartoon — That looks like a gopher hole . . . otherwise colour me stumped!
I had my final IV of antbiotics this evening and the first thing I did was fully wash my hands! Felt good not to have IVs and bandages on my hand. I still have 6 days of oral antibiotics to finish. I'm not back to eating much, but I am tasting the food at least. The swelling is still a problem so I have been told to take some anti-inflammatories. I suspect, as a result of the inflammation that was being treated before the bite, and as a result of the inflammation resulting from the bite, that I have a Baker's Cyst. I had one, in the same knee I think, a year or so ago, maybe even 2 years ago. Now I have to arrange for an ultrasound to confirm this suspicion. Next week to my own GP. I am beginning to wonder when this parade will be over.
Anyway, thanks guys for your care. It means a lot to this older broad!
May the progress be all that you hope for
Glad to hear you continue to improve!
Swelling (and the pain related to it, since the swelling ot tissues that are not intended to swell ends up stretching nerve endings) is typically the last to resolve.
Your possible Baker's cyst reminds me of a good friend who had a Pilonidal Cyst.
Given his was, as usual, at the top of his buttocks, when the surgeon told him that pilonidal cysts frequently contain teeth, he immediately responded:
"Well, that would be a real bite in the ass!"
(Sorry. Having re-read it I realized that medical humor takes too long to set up, and doesn't translate all that well to lay folks. Oh, well – it made me chuckle.)
I knew what your punchline was ahead of you saying it. I too was giggling! So it translated quite well for me. Maybe with all the time I have spent at the hospital lately, I'm picking up some medical humour!
I am glad you are off the IV;s and hope you keep improving. We love our kitties but their bites are wicked
Love the copstory, aznd I'm glad you're improving. Good luch on your test.
Isn't the cartoon a molehill – thus the Repugs making a mountain out of a molehill?
Upworthy – noxious little lame brained pillocks (derivation – a tiny p**is, which is what they are trying to compensate for)! It reminds me of those young men who used to call out obscene things to women (?in S America?) and some brilliant film makers found out where the lads live and most importantly Who Their Mothers Were – and got their mothers to dress up and wear wigs and stand with their backs to their sons – and where their sons mouthed off to them (unknowingly) – their mothers turned round and gave them a piece of their minds – utter bliss!
NY Times – am utterly horrified, and thank God devoutly that those horrors have been sacked and I hope their pensions have gone too! God bless those who exposed those blobs of suppurating nastiness – but how many others did those senior officers infect first?
Daily Kos – God bless and protect Pope Francis – the first decent pope for around 40 years (give or take) – God bless him for trying to live out real faith – may billions follow him!
Bingo!
Everyone, Pat is the genius of the group today. The Republican sees a molehill and is making a mountain out of it.
thanks for affirming the intent