Thank you Lona for the supply of cat naps that arrived yesterday, although I not sure that Canada Post quite knew what to do with them. I indulged myself late this afternoon and it was refreshing after spending 2 hours at physiotherapy. My therapist was happy with my progress such that we are going to switch from 3 days per week down to two. Oh heavenly days!
Puzzle — Today’s took me 2:51 (average 4:38). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Short Takes
Upworthy — In April 2013, Diana Kim spotted her father for the first time in decades.
He was living on the street, disheveled and unkempt, and didn't have a clue who she was. …
Kim grew up in Hawaii, which is trying to curb unrelenting increases in homelessness — including a 24% increase in chronic homelessness just last year. Kim's turbulent family life left her battling what she considers "transitional homelessness" as a teen. Kim, who chose not to talk about her relationship with her mother, had slept in parks, lived out of a car, and relied on the kindness of friends to put a roof over her head some nights.
In large part because of her personal experiences, Kim began using photography to bring more visibility to homelessness back in 2003. "When you grow up at an early age and you experience struggle, that shapes the way you see the world."
Read the rest of this story of transformation.
Huffington Post — Six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sat down with HuffPost Live on Monday and blasted Ben Carson's anti-Muslim comments, in which the 2016 GOP candidate questioned both Islamic values and the ability of Muslims to lead the United States in an interview with "Meet The Press."
Abdul-Jabbar, who converted to Islam when he was 24, explained why we shouldn't condemn the entire religion for the actions of a few: …
Watch a short video and read the rest of the short article. It seems that almost daily, we see people vilified for something they have not done. I hear the rhetoric "Muslims are terrorists" and other such claims from uneducated or bigoted minds. It is time to truly think about this and change our ways to that of inclusion, not exclusion.
Mother Jones — Even as the Federal Election Commission remains paralyzed when it comes to addressing the rising tide of dark money flowing into elections, California regulators took another step last week to crack down on secretive money in state elections. And for that, we have the Koch brothers to thank.
Politically active nonprofits have become a preferred way for deep-pocketed donors to influence elections without revealing their identities. As nonprofits, these groups are under no obligation to disclose where their money comes from. But as the amount of dark money entering elections has soared, federal regulators have largely taken a pass on adding new disclosure requirements. California regulators, on the other hand, have gone straight at the issue, and in the wake of a 2012 scandal involving several groups from the network of political organizations run by the Koch brothers, they have aggressively fought to keep dark money groups out of state elections.
On Thursday, state regulators added another layer of security, closing a loophole that might have allowed out-of-state groups and donors to secretly buy influence in California elections. If there was any wiggle room for dark money groups to operate in California, it's likely gone now.
Read the rest of this important article. Now, if only the same could be done in every state and federally, perhaps Lincoln's statement — "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." — could come true. Add to that the defeat of Citizens United and the US might have a chance of reclaiming representative democracy.
My Universe —
20 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 24/09/2015”
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3:20 Those metal handles get a little hot for me to handle.
3:00 I got burned. Ouch!
Not too hot for me! 🙂
5:05 (4:38) Definitely starting to be cool enough to be thinking about hot coffee – here, anyway.
Upworthy – What a success story. I wish both Kim and her father the best.
HuffPo – Someone asked what did the arrest of Ahmed Mohamed for making a clock accomplish, besides making him a national hero? Well, it brought a lot of Islamophobes out of the woodwork (not that they were in very deep) and gave them a forum to connect through. And that benefits Republicans. Check this out – http://www.care2.com/causes/its-2015-and-people-are-still-calling-obama-a-muslim.html I can almost respect an ignorant individual who is terrified by things he or she doesn't understand. I have nothing but contempt for those who channel and use that fear to push their own oppressive agendas. For those who push that "there is no difference between the parties," which only cuts Progrssive turnout while fear is pushing Republican turnout through the roof.
MoJo – I am so glad that California was able to do thie. Most states couldn't. At this point the FEC couldn't (as the article points out.) Perhaps that's a blessing, because of the FEC could write regulations with teeth, they would be sued, and guess who SCROTUS would side with. We need BOTH a constitutional amendment AND a better Court.
. . . and you'd be expecting a better court when?
Upworthy: What a story of love, and determination in finding and helping her father. A story of hopes and dreams being fullfilled.
HuffPo: Kudos to Adbul-Jabbar for voicing the anti-Muslim comments by Carson. Well said.
Mother Jones: I'd love to see Texas regulate this, on stricter rules of 'dark money'. Glad to see CA doing this.
My Universe: I love horses, and the saying.
One day, when I have time, I will do the puzzle. lol. Have a good day, relax and take care. Thanks!
Lona sent cap naps??? I only know this term to mean short sleep periods. Don't know about Canada post but, I do know about other such as German post who would certainly know what to do with it!!
Short sleeps they are Angelika! Canada Post has a habit of losing my mail . . . seems to go in spirts.
Suposedly, according to the rumors of the time, Lew Alcindor almost came to Long Island University while I was a student there. Who knows?
In any case, i can completely respect his change of religion, Atheist though I may be.
MoJo- As per Pat B.- I like the idea, but, if this were to happen in Texas this wold be a bit of "The Twilight Zone."
Naps are some of my best friends.
Horses rock, as does the quote!
Bigotry comes from ignorance of the truth. I do not respect bigotry, which is quite simply fear of the unknown. And I do love the horse and quote.
Amen Beth, amen!
Kudos on health report progress!
Los Angeles may create a new model and more humane vehicle with their new approach to homelessness–worth watching…locally there was a story of a retired professor who ended up on the streets even before the massive increase as Obama was elected/
Glad Kareem is speaking out and am proud of CA, of course.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/us/los-angeles-plans-100-million-effort-to-end-homelessness.html?emc=edit_th_20150923&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=8915680&_r=1
Update on past Carly story: Planned Parenthood: Carly Fiorina cooks up fake video to 'prove' her lies
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/23/1424165/-Planned-Parenthood-Carly-Fiorina-cooks-up-fake-video-to-prove-her-lies?detail=email
I thought I read this morning that the Kochs asked Walker to repay their $900 million campaign donation now that he has dropped out–but I'm not finding it now
I read it. Was an AB piece in another site, not the New Yorker.
Glad you got some rest! Thanks for all the hard work you are doing. I missed two days of comments because I had to be away from home with my sister while she had medical tests. She got good reports, hurray.
Upworthy: Kim is an amazing person. Not many who have grown up the way she did would even try to find the father who abandoned her. Homelessness is a real problem everywhere now.
Huffington Post: I shared this one on Facebook. This area is basketball crazy so maybe a pro basketball player will be worth their time to read about. We really need some education on this subject. A big part of the fear of Muslims came directly from our government, and in some ways continues to do so. Also, the press contributes to it, I don't know the religion of the man who killed so many people in a theatre in Colorado, do you? I don't believe his religion was ever mentioned, but then, he had white skin.
Mother Jones: I sent this article to the Speaker of the HOuse in Ky. We need these regulations, too. If the Supreme court won't do it, maybe state legislators can.
My Universe: Wouldn't it be wonderful if humans lived the same way?
Thanks Lynn. Still poorly but read very interesting articles. Still praying for TC!
Prayers Pat! . . . and tons of hugs!!!
Thanks everybody! The new post is out and I am working on Saturday's.
I have to say that I found the picture in the Upworthy piece to be so poignant that I just had to include it. As human beings, we can be so filled with compassion, and at other times, so destitute of compassion.