I’m getting a late start on a busy day. The forecast high is only 80°, but the building is still retaining the heat. Since tomorrow should be only 75°, I thing it will make the difference. Tomorrow is a grocery delivery day, so I have some cleaning to do. They just called for my order, and I reminded them to keep track of it.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:38 (average 5:23). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: In its unending desire to mollify its intolerant, bigoted base, the GOP appears ready and willing to throw single women under the bus, along with the same-sex couples whom we already know they hate.
In wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage, Republicans are pushing legislation that aims to protect Americans who oppose these unions on religious grounds. But critics say the language is so broad, the bill creates a license to discriminate that would let employers fire women for getting pregnant outside of wedlock.
The legislation, already with 130 Republican sponsors in the House and a companion bill in the Senate, is nobly titled the "First Amendment Defense Act," but in real-world terms it has less to do with the free "exercise" of speech or religion, but with the right to impose one’s bigotry (end economic power) on others, using "religion" as a fig leaf.
In GOPerville, women are supposed to be barefoot and pregnant, unless the woman is not owned by a man.
From NY Times: The United Nations Security Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution that creates the basis for international economic sanctions against Iran to be lifted, a move that incited a furious reaction in Israel and potentially sets up an angry showdown in Congress.
The 15-to-0 vote for approval of the resolution — 104 pages long including annexes and lists — was written in Vienna by diplomats who negotiated a landmark pact last week that limits Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for ending the sanctions.
There are two sides to this issue. On one is Benjamin "Butcher Bibi" Netanyahu (R-IS) and his Republican lackeys in Congress. On the other is the rest of the world.
From Right Wing Watch: Last week, John Hagee hosted his annual Christians United for Israel summit in Washington, D.C and during the event, Matthew Hagee conducted a short interview with Rep. Louie Gohmert about the recent nuclear agreement that the United States and several other nations struck with Iran.
Barf Bag Alert!!
If Go-Go Goosestep Gohmert and his Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christian allies are successful in preventing this peace accord and placing this nation of the path to war, their "god" who will get the glory has cloven hooves, a pointy tail, and a pitch fork.
Cartoon:
24 Responses to “Open Thread–7/21/2015”
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4:23 (average 5:23) Clown fish right, they call it. Is there such a thing as a clown fish wrong?
Sojourners is putting together a website of videos which they have asked all Presidential candidates for 2016 to make answering the question, "What would you do as president to offer help and opportunity to hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world?” They have six now and at least five pledged. sojo.net/poverty2016 is the URL.
DKos – I looked to see whether there was any language about "Never darken this doorway again," like in the old melodramas, which this policy so resembles. I couldn't find any. Perhaps the GOP are missing a bet.
NY Times – Well. We already look like the jerks of the universe, because Republicans. Let's hope we can stand up to them, at least enough to signal the existence of real human beings in the United States.
RWW – If the only God in existence was Louie Gohmert's God, I would have to be an atheist.
Cartoon – Yes, says this veteran, tell me about it.
Jimmy Carter made a powerful statement that no one can claim this is a Christian nation and vote to cut the funding to programs for the poor. SoJo's effort is also important.
I saw that too jla – I think he is one of the few moral people who has been at the top of politics anywhere in the world in the last few decades (I desperately wish there had been more!).
Jimmy Carter was an authentic Christian.
3:58 The clown tricked me.
2:48 Is this a Republicanus/Teabaggerum fish? I thought with a name like "Clown", it might just be so! Must not have been schooled properly because it looks to have fled the Clown Car. A bit of independence!
3:44 Great job, Lynn!
The Squatch foot flattenrd my lunch again.
The GOP would like all women to wear Target's "Trophy" shirts and be willing to be sold when an owner tires of her.
The unanimity at the UN should make any thinking person pause-that doesn't come easily. I disagree that all who oppose the deal are with Bibi though–Alan Grayson comes to mind as one I can't say has that as his why for opposing.
It is really a disgrace how this Congress treats our Vets—the term from last century of "cannon fodder" comes to mind.
I try to avoid doing these too often, because there are a gazillion of them.
But this one made me reach for a tissue. I did NOT see it coming. And it's perfectly understandable, even if you don't "habla espanol" … or your world is silent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nySUhtaf2QQ
Very nice video. Thanks.
Thanks, Nameless. I had seen the video before an all ready cried. I loved the ad for Costa Rica, too.
Beautiful video, thanks for posting, Nameless. I hope it inspires many people to become a donor.
And this is exactly why I drop in after commenting at least daily, sometimes more – because there might be something like this. I've been signed up as a donor since Colorado made it possible to put it on one's driver's license. I cannot see why anyone wouldn't.
Very hartwarming, but couldn't you find the same story featuring a cat?
No!
I'm a cat-lover who's never owned a dog, and I grew up with cats. I've been a "cat-guardian" at least six times … BUT I got to give credit to dogs – they're WAY more loyal and obedient than cats.
I hope your groceries come on time tomorrow!
Daily Kos: I have signed six petitions against this bill all ready. I doubt it will matter, I am just a female, and we know how the Repubs view us.
NY Times: We know there will be a showdown in Congress. HOw could Boehner possibly let his friend Bibi down? I am still furious over his inviting Bibi to address Congress, a true insult to our President.
We always need a barf bag alert when Gohmert speaks. He says we have betrayed Israel, wonder how? By giving them billions of dollars? I an so tired of politicians invoking God as their reason for crappy actions.
Cartoon: The only time the GOP supports vets is when they are using them for cannon fodder.
Puzzle — 2:48 Is this a Republicanus/Teabaggerum fish? I thought with a name like "Clown", it might just be so! Must not have been schooled properly because it looks to have fled the Clown Car. A bit of independence!
Daily Kos — So it seems yet again that women are victims of the Eve Factor!
And I suppose that men being men bear no responsibility for the dastardly crime of sexual relations outside of marriage? Let's keep tabs on all these Republicanus/Teabaggerum men at the next RNC conference! I seem to recall someone saying that the number of sex trade workers in town skyrockets during a RNC conference, and the ladies are kept very busy.
NY Times — This vote is for UN sanctions only and does not include those of the EU or the US. The EU is in the process of removing many of their sanctions, but not all. And the US? Of course Netanyahu is having a temper tantrum … the warmongering putz!
If the US doesn't play nicely, American exceptionalism is not worth a sou!
Right Wing Watch — I commented a while back that there was nary a word from Goh-merde in a long time. Can we go back in time on that one point? He is the most unintelligent person I have ever seen in a position of responsibility and power. Goh-merde, STFU!!! I hope the deal goes through!
BTW, you forgot the pointy little horns! "…their "god" who will get the glory has cloven hooves, a pointy tail, sharp pointy horns, and a pitch fork."
Cartoon — Ain't that the truth! Grayson's phrase from the healthcare debate in reference to Republicanus/Teabaggerum options, "die quickly" seems to fit here too.
TY TC
Finally, the temperatures are going down! It must be such a relief for you, TomCat. Let's hope the won't go up any time soon, at least not before all the heat has bled from your building. Good luck with the groceries.
Daily Kos: The whole idea that Congress can put legislation in place that effectively nullifies the SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage on the basis of religion, is both utterly ridiculous and utterly repugnant, but to create bills in their "zealous fervor" that give their bigoted pseudo-Christian base even more "rights" to force their version of Christianity down other people's throats, is unconscionable. But then, these Republicans have no conscience, have they, and the employers in the South who could legally not employ a single black mother or dismiss her when she becomes pregnant without being married with this new bill, is over the moon with this double whammy: racism and religious bigotry all in one.
NY Times: You put it exactly the way it is: The American Congress (i.e. Republicans) and Israel vs the rest of the world, the key words being United Nations Security Council (of which America is a permanent member, by the way) and unanimous (15-0). Does Congress have any idea how ridiculous AND UNTRUSTWORTHY their opposition to the treaty and lifting of sanctions makes America in the eye of the word? I'm sorry America, I hate to tell you this, but things have changed in the world while you weren't paying attention because you were too busy fighting Obama; you're no longer nr 1, no longer the biggest and best, no matter what Republicans tell themselves and their base. Sorry to be so harsh, but this feeling is palpable in Europe and must be in other regions too.
Right Wing Watch: Louie Gohmert just put the full stop behind my previous comment on the UN resolution as the basis for international economic sanctions against Iran to be lifted. Thank you, Louie, I can rest my case.
Daily Kos ~ These sub-human un-Christians appear to have forgotten that you can't legislate morals. That is puuting Religion into Politics. They should look into their own lives before condemning others.
NY Times ~ Majority rules! If our Congress votes with their "leader" BiBi, they will once again make a laughing stock of our country. Maybe they should resign and move to Israel.
RRWatch ~ Louie made a boo-boo when speaking. He called the conference "Citizens United for Israel". That means that anyone who votes against the Treaty is doing the Koch brothers bidding I believe. War mongers!
Cartoon ~ The onlly thing they want ot give to Veterans is lip service.
A rather strangled laugh at that cartoon, TC…. keep 'em poor so the only choice they have is to join the military, start a bunch of wars and send them off, then if they survive, pretend they no longer exist…. No veteran should be voting Republican…. not one.
No person in full possession of all their faculties should be voting for any Republicanus/Teabaggerum!
Thanks all and hugs. I'm completely pooped.