Here I am early on Friday evening and I am preparing another Open Thread for Saturday. This is my 10th Open Thread and 12th article this year at Politics Plus. I wish the circumstances were different. I started following TC in August 2011 with the idea that I could learn a lot about Canadian politics by watching American political theatre. And TC knew that. He encouraged me to write more articles, but I kept putting it off. A friend and former manager of mine keeps saying "You need to write a book." to which I scoffed "About what?" Here are two people I respect pushing me forward out of my lethargy, out of my comfort zone. But I think I learned the most from TC about life . . . about viewing people in different ways; about making a difference. For that, I will be forever greatful. Now, whether that book ever gets written is another matter, but at least I'm thinking.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:11 (average 5:02). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes
Mother Jones — When Pope Francis addresses a joint session of Congress next Thursday, there's a pretty good chance he'll talk about climate change, one of his favorite subjects of late. Paul Gosar, a Republican Congressman from Arizona, is not happy about that.
Plenty of climate change deniers, Catholic and not, have expressed their displeasurewith the Holy Father over his stance on climate. But Gosar, himself a Catholic, just became the first member of Congress to announce he will boycott the speech because of it. …
Interesting! Republicans will invite the Israeli warlord Benjamin Netanyahu to address the Congress, he hoping to foment a war between the US and Iran, his sworn enemy. But when it comes to Pope Francis, a man trying to live with respect to Creation and promote that idea, Republicans, or at least one will boycott the visit. Stupid is as stupid does.
Robert Reich — I’ve had so many calls about an article appearing earlier this week in the Wall Street Journal – charging that Bernie Sanders’s proposals would carry a “price tag” of $18 trillion over a 10-year period – that it’s necessary to respond.
The Journal’s number is entirely bogus, designed to frighten the public.
Read his 4 reasons why the Wall Street Journal's attack on Bernie Sanders is bogus at Robert Reich
That bastion of the right wing, The Wall Street Journal (Rupert Murdoch de-linked), engaged in deception. In 16/09/2015's Open Thread, I posted a piece from The Nation regarding the WSJ's attempted take down of Bernie. Robert Reich outlines 4 reasons why the WSJ was wrong.
Think Progress — Elementary school students are in their school gymnasium for a pep rally. An extremely enthusiastic young host shows them a video based on the year’s theme: a community spirit called “Rock’n Town Live.” He leads the students in loud cheers of “go Tigers,” “can’t believe it,” and “thirty to thirty-five laps.” And in addition to whipping the kids into a frenzy, he and the school’s principal take turns asking the kids to go home and get two adults to pledge a contribution. Roughly half of that money will go to benefit the school. Roughly half of it will go to Booster Enterprises Inc., a Georgia-based for-profit company putting on the event. …
This is outrageous . . . 48% of funds raised go to the fund raising companies. If the US wants to have a highly educated workforce, then it needs to fund education properly, AND it needs to ensure that funds raised for special projects are accounted for.
My Universe —
18 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 19/09/2015”
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3:51 It took me longer this morning, but I still say the motorists and pedestrians can darned well wait for me.
Mother Jones – Well, I hope that makes as good an impression on his constituents as it does on me. MEanwhile, if anyone wants to hear from some actual Christians,there is some information here: https://sojo.net/articles/pope-francis-visit-conversation-america-will-change-next-week I hope Jim Wallis is right and the conversation DOES change – for the better – but I see no signs of it happening.
Robert Reich – You have to understand the GOP language. "Fair and balanced" in GOP means "what Murdich wants to believe."
Think Progress – How long has the bumper sticker been around? "Wouldn't it be great if, when the Air Force wanted a new plane, they had to hold a bake sale?" Not picking on the Air force particularly, it applies to all services – and I guess now to the police also.
Universe – Well, of course. And if I don't feel like straining my vocal cords, I can always play THOE* – especially if any other cats are around.
(*THOE – Thundering Herd Of Elephants)
"Murdich", is that a typo or an intended gaff pronounced as Murdick? I rather fancy the latter.
It started as the one but is now the other.
Amen … many, many times over!
To learn the lesson that people can truly "evolve" opens so many doors of opportunity …
Isn't that the truth.
Yes it does my friend!
Lynn, I think TC has given all of us a different perspective. You write that book!
Mother Jones: Lynn, your comment sums up what I was thinking as I read this article. Yet, the Republican party plays itself as Christian to its base.
Robert Reich: Thanks, I shared this on Facebook. Of course Murdoch does not want Bernie elected, he might lose some of his power.
Think Progress: I agree, this is outrageous, but it is a fact of life for most school systems. I have three magazine racks full of those I ordered from the school kids in my neighborhood and family to raise money for the school systems.
My Universe: You know I totally understand this one. How about, goes on a tearing run at 3 am for no reason?
Mother Jones – interesting article, thanks Lynn. Mystifies me that a lot of American Catholics don't think the Pope should speak out about Climate Change – so they think he shouldn't speak out to stop the driver of a bus which is heading over a cliff? Nuts.
Robert Reich – I never believed that price tag either, but the trouble is that many uninformed will.
Think Progress – WHAT???!!!! The children are nearly killing themselves not only to raise money for the school but TO GIVE TO A LOCAL BUSINESS??!! Who the heck arranged that deal – I have never heard the like.
My Universe – so true – and that photo looks remarkably like my darling rescue cat Tabitha (HRH to her friends) – we now have a deal (unless she reads this!) – she plays in the rest of the house at night, my rescue dog sleeps with me – and no-one wakes me up unless it is an emergency! So far, so good…..!
Don't forget Pat, cats take a message and get back to you later. If Tabsie hasn't gotten back to you yet, I think you're good to go.
This is a good warming up for that book you're going to write next, Lynn. You're getting the hang of it so fast that I, somewhere between 6-10 hours ahead of you, can't keep up. When I opened my Care2 message box, a the beginning of the afternoon, a noticed announcements of this thread and when I blinked there was an additional one. Have to keep it short and to the point, which is very contrary to my nature as you know. Mother Jones: As I said in a previous thread on Pope Francis addressing Congress, I was amazed that the leader of one of the largest religions in the world was invited to speak there in a government that based on a constitution stating a separation of church and state. So I did some research myself and found that John Boehner announced on the 6th of March 2014 that he had invited the Pope to address Congress on his visit to the US. Pope Francis Invited to Address US Congress . To me that's not very different from inviting Netanyahu to address Congress, except that Pope Francis is touring America already and Netanyahu was invited specifically to speak. But as the invitation to Pope Francis passed unnoticed, Americans didn't much care one way or the other. The funny thing is that Boehner invited the Pope 18 months ago, before it became clear that this Pope was someone to be reckoned with, someone who had very different ideas on what being a good Christian means and someone who holds rather modern, one could say "unorthodox", ideas on the state of affairs in the world and doesn't shy away from addressing them. So hopefully John Boehner invitation is going to bite him in the ass and Republicans are going to have their ears washed. Gosar will be the first to bail out, and he's a Catholic…. Rober Reich: Thanks for posting these articles, Lynn. Democrats should be far more vocal about the deception by The Wall Street Journal. Calling their attack "bogus" is very straightforward but only the beginning. Think Progress: Learned something new again: schools need to do their own fundraising because they do not get enough funding from the state/federal government and then end up losing almost half of what they raise to professional fundraising companies (?) Only in America. My Universe too!
Sorry, got my linking methods mixed up.
Fixed it for you.
Don't forget Lona, although the 1st amendment to the US constitution does contain the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state, Republicans like to ensure their own religious liberty by dictating to others what religious doctrine in which to believe thereby making it a state religion. They also ignore the constitution unless it serves their purpose.
Yes Lynn, I was once told that everyone has at least one book to write in them.
Joanne, you make me think of all the pancake breakfasts, etc. we have to help fund our mostly volunteer local fire district.
Lona–thanks for reminding us about when the Pope was invited.
I screwed up the puzzles again. My time on the bicycle is 3:15' I have to check the dates on the Open Thread from now on.
Can't imagine anyone's surprised about WSJ. And I want to see the Pope take the right wing to church!
I'd like to see him take them out behind the wood shed!
Thanks everyone!
As Lona noted, I put out 2 SOT's in fairly quick order but I'm just trying to keep up and get a bit ahead so I'm not going nuts on my busy days . . . like Monday.