It’s another very hot very humid day. After today, we should get two temperate days, before the 90°+ weather returns on Saturday. Yesterday afternoon, I learned that my friend with cancer was in recovery, after a successful mastectomy. I feel quite relieved about that. Store to Door delivered groceries early. I have them put away. Now, if I can just stay conscious until after my articles are up and out, it’s A/C hunker time again.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 2:21 (average 4:24). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker:
On the evening of August 6th, when the news broke that Senator Charles Schumer would vote against the Iran accord, the Democratic Senate leader, Harry Reid, was as stunned as the rest of his caucus. The two men are close friends. When Reid became the leader, in 2005, Schumer was a backbencher, who mused about running for governor of New York. Reid took an interest in him, came to rely on both his fund-raising prowess with Wall Street and his counsel on a range of matters, and always advised his ambitious protégé, “Be patient, be patient.” Last March, when Reid announced that he would retire at the end of 2016, he endorsed Schumer to succeed him and announced that another contender, Richard Durbin, the Democratic whip (and Schumer’s former roommate), would stand down. For those progressives who questioned whether Schumer should be leader, Reid said that Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders would keep the caucus honest. Now, because of Schumer’s position as presumptive leader, Reid felt that Schumer should have informed him of his decision on the Iran deal, given its importance, according to a Senate aide. Still, when a White House official called Reid that night to ask if he would announce his support of the deal to counter Schumer’s opposition, Reid refused, saying he wasn’t ready, a close associate said. (A spokesman for Senator Reid later issued a statement denying that Reid was surprised by Schumer’s announcement. “Their relationship is as close as ever. On Iran, Senator Reid respects the decision of conscience Senator Schumer made and he did not raise concerns with the announcement or the timing.”)*
More than a week has passed, and Reid still wonders why Schumer decided to announce his opposition when he did. Schumer was the first Democratic senator to oppose the deal. And it was his timing, perhaps even more than the substance of his decision, that has upset his pro-deal colleagues and, most unmistakably, the White House. Josh Earnest, the President’s press secretary, said he wouldn’t be surprised if some members of the Senate Democratic caucus “consider the voting record of those who say they would like to lead the caucus,” and he went on to liken Schumer’s decision to oppose the Iran deal to his support for the Iraq War, in 2003. It always seemed implausible that Schumer—an AIPAC stalwart who boasted that he is Benjamin Netanyahu’s best friend on Capitol Hill—would oppose AIPAC and Netanyahu on a deal they both claim is an existential threat to Israel. (I have written about AIPAC’s influence on politicians for the magazine.) “Chuck was always among the least likely Democrats to support the deal,” a longtime close friend of Schumer’s told me. And, after Schumer’s announcement, Durbin said, “I always expected him to be against the agreement.”…
Click through for the rest of this highly informative piece. If your Senator(s) are Democrats, call them regularly to tell them to strip this Bankster-bought traitor of any and all party leadership positions.
From NY Times: Russians are experiencing the first sustained decline in living standards in the 15 years since President Vladimir V. Putin [R-RU] came to power. The ruble has fallen by half against the dollar, driven by the plunging price of oil, the lifeblood of Russia’s economy. As a result, prices of imported goods have shot up, making tea, instant coffee, children’s clothes and back-to-school backpacks suddenly, jarringly expensive.
The Russian people are learning first hand the steep price they have to pay for putting a Republican in charge of their nation.
From Alternet: Ann Coulter knows who she wants to be the Democratic nominee for president, and who that person is, well, it may surprise you.
She wants Hillary Clinton to be the nominee, and thinks that if Bernie gets the nod, he’ll beat whoever the Republicans come up with to run against him.
You won’t hear me say this often, but Ann Coulter is right.
If Bernie Sanders ends up being the Democratic nominee for president, and it looks more and more every day like he will be, his Republican opponent is going to have a very hard time beating him.
And that’s because of all the Democratic candidates running, Bernie Sanders has the best chance of capturing Republican votes.
I’ve seen how Bernie does this, up close and personal.
Despite its reputation as a place filled with liberal hippies, Vermont, like most of rural northern New England, is home to a lot of conservatives.
Anyone running for statewide office there needs to win these conservatives’ votes, and Bernie is great at doing that.
As much as I’d like to echo this author’s optimism, northern NH Republicans are more like the old time back woods Republicans that were somewhat progressive in their views and opposed to the old time Dixiecrats, that now hold the Republican Party in thrall. To get lots of Republican support, nationwide, Bernie would have to convince a lot of willfully ignorant voters, too lazy to want to learn, not to be afraid of media-hyped "Socialism". That’s a tall order, not because Bernie lacks skill, but because he would be trying to plow a swamp.
Cartoon:
25 Responses to “Open Thread–8/19/2015”
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3:39 (4:24) Obviously sails don't work like tires or that wouldn't be going anywhere.
New Yorker – Nothing amusing about this. But nothing surprising either. I don't think he can actually kill the Iran deal, from what I am reading. But it's not just that. Are we going to let this – person – do to our Senate what Andrew Cuomo has been doing to the New York legislature? Letting "Democrats" caucus with Republicans so that the Democratic majority elected by the people turns into a de facto Republican majority forged by the Koch brothers? New York deserves better – and so do we.
NY Times – Yes, well, let's hope they can be more clear sighted about the cause and effect there than our voters are.
Alternet – While I care deeply who can win a general election, and have made many decisions on that ground, this time, I am just watching. For one thing we are way too far ahead of the game to get a clear picture of who can win what. There are too many variables. Right now I am just following my heart.
Cartoon – Yes, indeed, such as Prescott Bush.
And Prescott Bush was just one.
No wonder some of the one percent are speaking a new tune on economic policies with directions taken in so many countries that are unsustainable as they hoard their cash instead of enabling it to help economies recover.
Bernie's approaches have a good deal of pragmatism apt to appeal to conservative rural residents.
I wish Reid hadn't become so beholden to Schumer and that the Senate will rebel at having him lead.
Glad things went well for your friend. Keep wet kerchiefs in the freezer to put on the back of your neck.
They also use the US as a cash cow to profit on other economies.
I can tell when it’s getting VERY hot up where you live. It gets cold down here in OK. We are getting close to record low HIGHS! The high today is 72°! The projected high was 65°! The only reason it got any higher than that was the cloud cover moved out earlier in the day than they thought it would! The low tonight is SUPPOSED to be 57°! That is totally UNHEARD OF in OK in August! The last time it got that low was 65 years ago! And I’m not so sure of that record! Stay cool, my friend! The heat is gonna get worse, I fear!
Glad to hear that your friend is doing so much better! Shumer is an I D I O T! How can he claim to be a Democrat when he supports so many rethuglican views? There is no way that he should be able to vote against the Iran deal! If we don’t get that deal signed, what are we gonna have? NOTHING!
For once, and only ONCE, I agree with Coulter! Hillary will be easy for the repubes to beat! She has too many skeletons in the closet to win this time!!!!
It figures that Repukkklicans would be behind the Fuhrer getting “elected”! He would still get the backing from them right now if the situation was the same!
Once, in my 20s, I drove across Oklahoma in a panel van with broken A/C in mis summer. Fortunately I stocked op before I crossed the state line. When I got to a Tulsa motel room, I sat in tib of cold water and drank a six pack of tall boys. Then I peed a teaspoon full.
Still in survival mode, I see, TomCat. I hope you can recouperate enough during the cooler days to get yourself through the next heat onslaught. But the excellent news about your friend being in remission from her cancer, must have given you a boost too.
The New Yorker: From the very first articles on Charles Schumer's vote against the Iran deal I got the impression he's been a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing, but from this piece you'd think quite a few Democrats knew exactly what kind of animal they were dealing with when they accepted him as Harry Reid's successor, including his very good friend Harry Reid. It seems the Democratic party isn't free from nepotism either, but what makes it worse is that this DINO can make life hard(er) for Obama only a one senator – one vote basis now, but as Reis'd designated successor can influence other senators to do the same and when he takes over from Reid in 2016 he may have the power to make or brake any new Democratic president. Netanyahu's influence on American foreign politics is already unacceptably large (as he seems to have the Republicans at his beck and call), but in 2016 things might even become much worse.
NY Times: Like any Republican dictator, Putin has put the blame for Russia's economic decline on foreign powers putting a trade embargo on Russia, and that is enough for now to keep his base quiet. He'd like to start up some more animosity in Ukraine, but with the eyes of the world on him and people in the Krim less happy with being brought back to Mother Russia now that all his promisses for economical aid have come to nothing, he's reluctant to further exploit that region for his personal popularity and probably looking elsewhere to take the attention away from the failing economy. For now.
Alternet: I agree with you, TomCat, I think corporate Hillary stands a better chance of taking moderate Republican voters who are fed up with the TeaParty insanity away from the GOP than socialist Bernie.
Cartoon: 1% is now looking to fund the next Führer, a little closer to home.
The US Senate is w weird duck. It has a long tradition of collefiality, seniority and bipartidanship. Democrats follow that trfadition. Republicans do not.
WARNING – WARNING – TEASER ALERT – NSFW – DON'T DO IT – DO NOT DO IT!!!
OK, maybe a tad over the top – but whatever you do, do NOT Google ["josh duggar" "ashley madison"]
… At least not in the presence of childrem.
These Talibangelical Christianizes and their "family values" just never cease to amaze me with their unbridled hypocrisy.preaching to us about "rights & wrongs"
Oh … I see you went ahead and Googled it anyway. Tee Hee … HaHa … LOL …
The Upside is we almost assuredly will NEVER EVER have to see the Duggar family again!
Sure isn't a downside!
I have no interst in the Duggar Family, much less googling them. As long as their show is off the air and not polluting the airwaves and viewers alike is fine with me.
Uranus Inspector is in there too, but I have a real problem wuirh this leak. Gay prople in arab countries where gayness is a death penalty offense have used the service to discreetrly find partners. Many of them have been outed, putting their lives at risk.
I'm absolutely against hacking & then leaking – but the Schaden was just too Freude to pass it up.
The Duggar Hypocrisy is about the only thing they excel at.
I hear you!
I am sending good thoughts to your friend. Also to you, that the oppressive heat will stop.
The New Yorker: I am very disappointed that Schumer made this decision, but not surprised since he is heavily involved with Aipac and calls Bibi his best friend. I hope no other Democrats follow him, since all they are doing is falling in line with the Republicans if they do. Sadly, I have no Democratic senator.
NY Times: Putin really is a Republican. In my lifetime, our prosperity always happened when we had a Democrat in office, I suppose it is the same in Russia.
Alternet: I agree with you, TC, "Socialism" will go against Bernie with a majority of our voters because most of them were taught to hate the word when we were in the Cold War, and few know its real meaning.
Cartoon: And they probably would do it again.
Thank you!
Indeed they would!
2:47 Because of the warm ocean currents and depleted stocks, all fishing is banned!
Does that include fishing for voters?
No! I was at physio yesterday and stepped up on my soapbox. Somebody made the mistake of mentioning the election here. I did not talk a specific party but I managed to get a commitment to vote from 5 people. All did say they thought there was a need for a change ie Herr Harper needs to go!
We had 35 C (95 F) yesterday and 30 C (86 F) today which is too hot for me. Tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy with the possibility of light rain tomorrow night and Friday. We're heading for 29 C (84 F) over the next 5 days but fortunately, nightime will dip to 13-14 C (55-57 F) which is fine by me!
Puzzle — 2:47 Because of the warm ocean currents and depleted stocks, all fishing is banned!
The New Yorker — Perhaps I have missed something, but if the US rejects the Iran deal, does that negate the deal for the other parties — France, Russia, China, Britain and Germany? If it doesn't, that puts the US in a very awkward position with its allies. Does the US then talk sanctions or some other action against its allies because they are supporting the deal with Iran? If it is an "all or none" decision and the US fails to approve the deal, I seriously doubt that Iran will renegotiate, let alone the P5 who indicated to Sen Gillibrand that they were not interested in more negotiations. Schumer is a knitwit, as is anyone else who stands against the deal. So Netanyahu is willing to plunge the world into a nuclear conflagration with the help of APIAC and politicians like Schumer! Schmucks!
NY Times — This is your life on Republicanus/Teabaggerum economics!
Alternet — It would be great if we could say that none of the field of Republicanus/Teabaggerum hopefuls could flick a flee off a dog's back, let alone beat a Democrat, but voters can be fickle. I like Bernie and he is showing terrific energy and passion for the people. But rounding up the conservative vote nationally is a tough one.
Cartoon — The 1% are doing it again only closer to home . . . the Farfuhrer of Fitzwalkerstan!
You sre getting it cooler than we are.
Actually, Schumer is a nitwit. I, on the other hand, am a knitwit and also something of a crochetwit.
Democracy Now!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015
David Cay Johnston: 21 Questions for Trump on Kickbacks, Busting Unions, the Mob & Corporate Welfare
Donald is not who or what you think he is. "He’s not at all who he appears to be." One glaring fact is that he has not been properly vetted."
"To talk more about Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, we are joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston, who has covered Trump off and on for 27 years."
Text & VIDEO:
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/8/19/david_cay_johnston_21_questions_for?utm_source=Democracy+Now%21&utm_campaign=5b2982d86e-Daily_Digest&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fa2346a853-5b2982d86e-191305865
""21 Questions for Donald Trump." Nothing has appeared. And that’s because, in this country, politics reporters cover the horse race, and they do not vet the candidates the way they should. And Trump, if vetted properly, would quickly disappear from the polls."
21 Questions For Donald Trump
http://www.nationalmemo.com/21-questions-for-donald-trump/
"We were just talking, David Cay Johnston, about his wanting to change the Constitution to end birthright citizenship."
" Well, the racist right in this country has proposed repeal of the 14th Amendment for a long time. You haven’t heard about it in the mainstream news, because it seems a crazy, fringe idea."
"Privileged Bloodlines": Is Trump’s Stance Against Birthright Citizenship Setting Tone for GOP?
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/8/19/privileged_bloodlines_is_trumps_stance_against
Thanks all. Pooped hugs!