It has been a busy day! I did two hours of physiotherapy followed by 3 hours of teaching ESL. Once I arrived home, it was straight to the computer to get the 02/10/15 articles posted to Care2 and links distributed. I took advantage of one of Lona's cat naps . . . soooooooo relaxing! and then had a late dinner. As a result, this is today's only article. Tomorrow won't be so busy outside the house, but I need to do laundry before I start scaring the neighbourhood!
Puzzle — Today’s took me 2:31 (average 4:24). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Upworthy — Female genital mutilation, also known as FGM or FGC (female genital cutting), is performed in several African countries and parts of the Middle East, and less frequently in Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan. It also occurs in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Europe — despite being illegal in many places.
FGM is barbaric, inhuman and a violation of human rights and dignity. Please sign this petition to end FGM.
Read the rest of the article and see how five young men react to this proceedure.
Rachel Maddow — h/t Jim Phillips — A look at Kevin McCarthy, poised to be the new Speaker of the House when Congressional Republicans vote next week.
As things sit now, the Speaker, 2nd in succession to the White House behind the Vice President should something happen to the President, is elected by only 247 members of the House of Representatives. Scary! Does Kevin McCarthy represent the level of competence that the Republicans, or more specifically the Teabaggers, bring to the Congress? Even scarier!! If so, then God help the US.
NY Times — Ever since it became public that Pope Francis met in Washington with Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples, the questions have been swirling: Why did he meet with her, and was it meant as a political statement?
As it turns out, the Vatican said on Friday, the pope did not mean to endorse Ms. Davis’s views. It also said he gave her no more than a typical brief greeting, despite what her lawyer described.
Instead, the Vatican said that Francis gave only one “real audience”: to someone later identified as one of his former students, Yayo Grassi, a gay man in Washington who says he brought his partner of 19 years to the Vatican’s embassy in Washington for a reunion. They even shot video.
This is a portion of a Faithful America e-mail that Joanne brought to my attention:
After days of speculation, the truth has finally come out: Pope Francis did not hold a private meeting to express his support for Kim Davis's efforts to block gay marriage licenses.
According to an official Vatican statement, Kim Davis was among "several dozen persons" attending a reception at the Vatican embassy, "the pope did not enter into the details of the situation," and "his meeting with her should not be considered a form of support."
Moreover, it seems that the pope did not request Kim Davis be invited.
According to press reports, one man was likely responsible for Davis's invitation: Carlo Maria Vigano, a conservative church official who was appointed by Pope Benedict as Vatican ambassador to the United States (formally called the "apostolic nuncio").
Having created an opportunity for right-wing evangelicals to dishonestly hijack the message of the pope's visit to the United States, Vigano must now resign.
If you are interested in the Faithful America petition, you can find it HERE.
I believe that Kim Davis is being used as a political bullet within the Vatican in a dispute between the very conservative factions and the more liberal Pope Francis. I have no sympathy for her whatsoever. Davis has a job to do . . . act in accordance with the laws of the land . . . and if she cannot do that for any reason, she should resign.
Mother Jones — While speaking to reporters during a campaign stop in Greenville, South Carolina, on Friday, Jeb Bush weighed in on the latest school shooting to take place in the United States, this time in Oregon, just a day before.
You can read a transcript of his comment HERE. Mr Compassionate speaks out . . . what a farce!
My Universe —
Give these boys a remote control and they will be attending services
at the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb!
17 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 03/10/2015”
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McCarthy got his start with Young Republicans in CA in the days when some were supported in pretending they were like Nixon's Watergate burglers and infiltrating the DEM convention and, some said, looking for opportunities to sabotage proceedings…by then voting age had been dropped to 18 so their peers were full participants at the DEM convention, an opportunity the GOP denied them (irony intended). No one reportedly has ever felt close to him and his rise mainly has been by not offending others or 'unduly' respecting the bodies he has been elected to serve in (even as GOP leader in CA legislature)…not a record to give one trust with succession risks as some voices call for insurrection and at times border on encouraging assassination attempts…
Glad the truth is out that it was NOT the Pope's idea or his agenda we heard with Davis.
It seems the GOP clowns are losing press interest…yet Jeb continues to provide us fodder for the kind of alternate reality, which includes misogyny of the kind that leads to FGM and similar skews on other subjects. Kinda like Carson's latest–not quite as oreo as he wants to appear:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/01/1426652/-In-jest-Ben-Carson-tells-the-whole-truth-about-police-shootings-then-quickly-backs-off-of-it?detail=email
Maybe I'll find a book and join those kitties when it warms up here.
Important AL right to vote petition from Common Cause:
https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=F085ADD18AD1DC1D3D48AF3CA27028B9.app263a?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=945&s_src=945&s_subsrc=moveon
3:06 I think I got stuck under the bridge.
I love the kitties and I wish my weekend was going to be relaxing instead of hectic.
Upworthy: Had already signed petition for this horrible practice to stop. Those poor women!
NY Times: Ugh! Davis trying to glorify her 'meeting' with the Pontiff. How embarrasing for her, and so bogus! But…she doesn't care. Signed petition last night when I read this.
Mother Jones: What a jerk. As Andy writes:
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/jeb-bush-declares-war-on-stuff
My Universe: Adorable picture! You know you are making TC happy, aren't you?
Enjoy your weekend, it's beautiful here. Thanks, Lynn.
4:26 Good thing it's a broad, stable bridge with rails, or I might have fallen asleep and fallen off.
Upworthy – Signed petition some time ago. But still learned something from this. Wait a minute – you mean the very men on whose behalf this is supposedly being done, to help them control their women, don't even know it is being done? No wonder they're angry! I'd be livid!. In fact, I am livid when our lawmakers do things supposedly in my name which I oppose.
Maddow – Yet McCarthy may not only be the next Speaker, but also our best bet! Think about it – would you prefer, say, Darrel Issa? Or Steve King? Or any other prominent totally crazy? Compared to that, the ability not to offend people is sounding pretty good.
NY Times – Thank you for this exposure. I do point out you do not have to be a Christian, let alone a Catholic, to sign any of Faithful America's petitions, and I hope many will. (I confess that I added a comment to the effect that I would much prefer to see him publicly and humiliatingly fired, but to spare the Pope, who is kinder than I am, he should just resign.)
MoJo – There seems to be a little more pushback now than in the past against the idea "This is not the time, don't politicize tragedy." I hope it helps.
Universe – Tee hee. They even look ready to actually kick the Ellipsoid Orb themselves.
PS – WRT potential speakers – http://www.care2.com/causes/one-of-these-4-people-will-be-the-next-speaker-of-the-house-and-thats-terrifying.html And this doesn't even include Chaffets, whom Jim mentions.
Upworthy: C2 Petition already signed. Ever since I first heard about FGM, I have been against this appalling and barbaric practice. Please sign this petition and all others to denounce this practice of mutilating the genitals of girls and women.
There are several well made videos that you can watch at this site regarding FGM: http://safehands.org/media/saynotofgm/
Rachel Maddow: This man who failed miserably in his presentation against Cecile Richards and Planned Parenthood has announced his candidacy for Speaker of the House. His name is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah)
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-rep-stands-bogus-planned-parenthood-chart?cid=eml_mra_20151001
THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 10/2/15
McCarthy hurt by blurt, draws challenge from Chaffetz
Rachel Maddow looks more closely as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's peculiar speaking, and notes a new report confirmed by NBC News that Congressman Jason Chaffetz will challenge McCarthy for the House speakership as McCarthy has suffered a political setback after accidentally revealing the Republican strategy behind the Benghazi Select Committee. Duration: 10:37
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/mccarthy-hurt-by-blurt–draws-challenger-537744451607?cid=eml_mra_20151003
NY Times: The lawyer for Kim Davis lied, plain and simple. Carlo Maria Vigano should resign his position immediately. Yes, Kim Davis should resign from her job and be sent to prison.
Mother Jones: Jebya should be renamed as "Dumya"! No empathy, no sense of decency. The Father of "Stand your Ground" law from Florida.
Universe: Wish I could do that, put my feet up. lol.
Given Vatican protocol, it's unlikely Archbishop Vigano will resign. They're much more subtle these days.
… BUT according to "The New York Times" Vigano can pretty much kiss his butt good-bye come January, 2016:
I know I've got only myself to blame, Lynn, making you dip into those catnaps whenever things get too hectic, but I've spent my allotted time on Friday's articles around noon of this Dutch Saturday and I also seem to have used all my powder in the shooting, as we say. So this'll have to be short and brief, as we say too.
Upworthy: Signed, of course, but I must stop myself here, as this is a subject close to my heart and I could say so much about it. I'll just limit myself to the hope this will pass in Congress, but doubt it will as Republicans are sure to exploit the MYTH that FGM is a Muslim thing, which it isn't. It's an ancient practice that some Islamic tribes have kept and merged with their religion, but it's not something from the Koran and practiced by many non-Muslim cultures in the region as well. Immigrants have brought these terrible ancient cultural practices with them to Europe, America, Australia and all other countries they went to.
Rachel Maddow: Rachel was as clear as a bell on Kevin McCarthy, but leaves me with two questions:
1. How the hell did McCarthy become Boehner's second man in the first place and why is he automatically a candidate?
2. What new name is given to Boehner's former position, in the light of McCarty's complete inability to read a coherent speech from paper?
NY Times: Only the Talibangelists would believe that Pope Francis would condone the actions of Kim Davis and would have her invited to make a public statement, no Catholic with any real knowledge about his religious leader would. This pope has already sacked, i.e. demoted, quite a few hard liners who refuse to conform, in the past months so if Vigano has indeed tried to set Pope Francis up, this "apostolic nuncio" can look forward to a lot of quiet gardening in the Vatican the coming years.
Mother Jones: Hand be the barf bag, please. Stuff always happens too if you're a president, dear.
My Universe: wish it was mine a bit too.
He's a candidate because Boehner named him…not sure why he was picked when Cantor lost his primary–perhaps because no one hated him (yet)
The pope would never allow himself to be used as a political football, and the responsible politically absurd official must resign, so I gladly signed the petition.
Bush Baby is absurd on all fronts. Nuff said.
Let the fool run for Speaker of the House. It will help the Left.
I signed the FGM petition months ago, and just shared for the second time on FB.
And cat naps are good…the longer the better. It's the weekend…indulge again!
I can help Jebya! and his fellow Rethuglicans at least APPEAR to have some compassion:
If they would only pretend that those ten people weren't killed in Oregon, but say … BENGHAZI!!! … then they could probably pretend to care.
BREAKING NEWS!
With my eagle-eye for "Hot off the press" news, I learned that Pope Francis has issued a statement concerning Kim Davis et al trying to use the Vatican to advance their homophobic hate-mongering.
Pope Francis:
[h/t – Bill Clinton]
LOL. Good one!
Thanks, I needed a chuckle tonight.
Upworthy: I had signed this petition in February, but I shared it on Facebook tonight. This is a horrifying practice, with no reasonable excuse, other than mistreating women.
Rachel Maddow: Heaven help us is right, Lynn. If Mccarthy gets the job as Speaker, he will be floundering, and bombarded by the hard right. Since they cannot come up with enough votes for one of their own,he will probably get the job.
NY Times: I all ready signed the petition for Vigano to resign. His attempt to influence American Catholics with the likes of Kim Davis shows he should not be in his job. She and her lawyer have repeatedly said that she had a private audience with the Pope and he told her to be strong in her convictions. Although she is not Catholic, her parents were. I bet they won't be happy with her for calling the Vatican liars.
Mother Jones: If this response from Bush over such a tragedy does not alert Americans to his real qualifications, nothing will. Insensitive, yes, dumb, double yes.
My Universe: Loved it. I have had too many cats in my life to recount, but the friendliest and sweetest I have had was a yellow tabby named Rusty. RIP He has been gone three years and I still miss him.
Thanks, Lynn, for all your hard work.
Upworthy – very good article, rather alarming video (had to turn sound off even though they said the children were actors) – God bless those young men who were so horrified.
Yoooowwww – sorry Lynn, those benighted kidney stones are biting me again! Off to drink Chanca Piedra tea by the bucketful!