Today was somewhat euphoric here with the defeat of Stephen Harper yesterday by Justin Trudeau and the Liberals! Canada now has a chance to get back to our values that make us who we are. I celebrated today by getting my hair cut and dyed purple, well at least a streak of purple. When I arrived home, there was TC's post, his first in a month and a half! How much better could the day get?
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:50 (average 6:40). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Fantasy Football
| Rank | Team | W-L-T | Pct | Stk | Waiver | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-1-0 | .833 | W4 | 10 | 573.94 | 425.26 | |
| 2 | 4-2-0 | .667 | L2 | 9 | 580.72 | 501.78 | |
| 3+2 | 4-2-0 | .667 | W2 | 8 | 526.92 | 472.52 | |
| 4+3 | 3-3-0 | .500 | W2 | 7 | 523.44 | 644.60 | |
| 5+3 | 3-3-0 | .500 | W1 | 6 | 512.20 | 465.26 | |
| 6-3 | 3-3-0 | .500 | L1 | 5 | 493.54 | 464.68 | |
| 7-3 | 3-3-0 | .500 | L2 | 4 | 545.48 | 494.78 | |
| 8+1 | 2-4-0 | .333 | W2 | 3 | 530.92 | 574.26 | |
| 9-3 | 2-4-0 | .333 | L3 | 2 | 509.06 | 603.96 | |
| 10 | 1-5-0 | .167 | L5 | 1 | 464.60 | 613.72 |
* Rank change shown is from week 5 – 6
Short Takes
The New Yorker — Washington was in turmoil on Tuesday morning as a House select committee abruptly cancelled its Benghazi hearings shortly after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that she was withdrawing from the Presidential race.
Andy has the Republicans down pat!
Huffington Post — "I knew we wouldn't be the leading fundraiser in this race, because we are not the top choice of the entrenched political establishment," Rubio told Cavuto. "But I’m confident we have the resources and continue to build the resources to be able to communicate our message. And obviously if somebody watching this program wants to help us, they should go tomarcorubio.com and chip in."
According to Senate ethics rules, "Senate Members and staff may not receive or solicit campaign contributions in any federal building."
Hmmm! I wonder if this little faux pas will ever see the light of day in an investigation? I wonder if things would be any different if this had been Hillary?
The Nation — Trudeau placed a lot of emphasis on hope and change, which drew comparisons to Barack Obama’s inspired campaigns of 2008 and 2012. Obama and the Democrats faced significant challenges in both those US elections, but Obama’s skills and vision — and the ability of his campaign to forge unprecedented coalitions — transformed those electoral moments. …
As a party leader seeking to renew a battered brand and to displace a wily incumbent, the Canadian faced skepticism about his own leadership skills and about the ability of the Liberals to get their act together. As such, he had to give new meaning to the Liberal promise of “real change”—just as American Democrats in 2016 races for the White House and Congress will have to frame a message that, while building on Obama’s accomplishments (and perhaps showing a bit more respect for the president’s political wisdom than many Democrats did in 2014), gives a sense of where the party will go next.
I like John Nichols, always have since first listening to him. But I don't know if this would ever work for Democrats. One thing I do know is that Trudeau ran a positive campaign, foregoing the negative attack ads of the other two parties. As he said, "We beat fear with hope. We beat cynicism with hard work. We beat negative, divisive politics with a positive vision that brings Canadians together." Can Democrats do that? Just a thought.
My Universe —
Life goes better with friends!
21 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 21/10/2015”
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4:13 A little slow this morning.
4:36 I'm even slower.
😥 for both of you, but that isn't the easiest puzzle. I went a little nuts!
6:29 They do love acorns at JigZone. Are they squirrels in disguise?
New Yorker – This is so true! and funny!
HuffPo – I do understand why Democrats don't want to be accused of politicizing, but then they allow Republicans to get away with murder. In a situation like this, I would settle for a plea deal just so he would have a Federal conviction on his record. I know a lot of Progresives don't like plea deals in principal, and I won't argue that case here, but a conviction on record can make it a lot easier to prosecute down the line of someone re-offends. And if they don't – well, that's good too.
Nation – Well, we aren't trying to displace a criminal monster, as Justin was, and that in itself changes the game. But as far as avoiding negativity – and the negativity that hurts a party most is negativity before the primaries – I think we have a shot at it. That Bernie-Hillary-handshake moment was so inspiring!
Universe – Isn't it.
Democrats may not have a Harper to defeat, but they demonstrated a big problem around the last election . . . open warfare within their own ranks. That is probably harder to over come. Let's hope they can remain united AND positive.
Yorker: Yep… Andy sure knows how to send the pukes into a frenzy turmoil. lol.
By the way, Hillary Clinton will be on the Rachel Maddow Show this Friday, Oct. 23.
HuffPo: Of course, Rubio is not the top choice. Rubio is not very bright or else he has gotten a slight case of foot-in-the-mouth disease from Dumya. Investigate a GOPer…? Heaven forbid should that ever happen. lol.
Nation: Bernie, in the past, has always run a clean campaign and continues to do so to this day. At the recent Demo debate, he came off defending Hillary at one point. A statesman. The skepticism of Bernie is the word "socialism" and the people is US need to learn what this word is and its meaning, definition. Dictionary time.
It is the GOPers who are attacking each other and they are not nice people at all; they are demonic in their manners with each other.
Universe: Good friends are warm and cuddly… Much like a comforter on a chilly night. lol. Nice pic.
Jim, see JL's comment below . . . an ethics investigation AND a problem with a Rubio PAC. I hope the stars align to send Rubio packing!
Who would have thought; you have a purple streak, have you, Lynn? I love to learn all these personal tidbits about the people I know only from what they write or send. It all makes it much easier to picture a person behind the texts, a need I still cater to. Perhaps it's my age.
Thanks for taking some time off from celebrating the hope of a better future for Canada and putting this thread together. I'm sure TomCat appreciates all you, Nameless, JL and Joanne are doing, just as much as we all do.
The new Yorker: Andy has pinpointed this cat and mouse game perfectly. Only the Republicans still think they are the cat, LOL.
Huffington Post: The Senate has ethics rules? I wonder if it still does, or if one can still call them that. After all, the Republicans have shown themselves masters at rewriting history to suit them, so "adapting" a few rules here and there or dropping some ethics is no sweat of a Republican's back. The hardest thing was remembering what ethics are in the first place.
The Nation: I'm afraid you're right, Lynn. Standing behind such as message of hope and change and really believing in it, not just talking the talk, is a bit too alien for American Democrats in general, too far out of their comfort zone. Perhaps Obama wasn't born in America after all? 😉
My Universe: Ain't that the truth!
Yes Lona, I really do have a purple patch in my hair . . . in the front-left. It is shown off against the silver of the rest of my head. I was told young women are paying up to $400 (probably US$) to colour their hair like mine. I paid $5 and over 63 years of life!
Does Obama have purple hair?
NYer: Ms. Clinton: "But I was just trying to prove a point." How funny!
HuffPo: What an ID. Rubio should know the Senate Ethics Rules, and yes…they apply to him, and the others in the building also. I hope someone files a complaint on him.
Nation: I hope that the positive changes coming to Cananda work well. It's encouraging to say the least.
My Universe: How adorable!
Y'all have done such a good job on posting, I am thankful for you, JL, Joanne and Nameless. Hearing about TC lightened my heart, by knowing that he is recovering, and doing good. What a great day, indeed!!
Should we hasten the investigation by promoting a petition and filing a complaint against Rubio?
New Yorker ~ That would be their dream come true!
HuffPo ~ Right! Tell me none of them have ever made phone calls soliciting donations from their offices in the Capitol building. I mean both Parties.
The Nation ~ I'll say it again – Congratulations Justin Trudeau and all Canadians!!!
Such cute kittens!
I can't help but think the election of Trudeau will, if only on the margins, benefit us Liberals down here.
I was looking forward to seeing that helmeted "Football cat" I sent – but your "Universe" kittens more than make up for it! It reminds me of my summers on the farm when the little guys would follow us around out by the barn.
And you, indeed, had a very good day!
Maybe tomorrow. I couldn't find the football feline though I spent time looking through JD's and JL's e-mails thinking it was from them. I now have it!
Great!
Some great stuff–I'll only add that a PAC claiming social welfare status has set the record expenditures of TV ad time for Rubio and is being investigated…
Lynn, once again, "You rock," along with all those so much wiser Canadians who came together to ride Harper out of the ridings!
Tar and feathers!
Congratulations, again on the election of Trudeau.
The New Yorker: I have no doubt that is the goal of the Republicans. She scares them.
Huffington Post: I guarantee you that if HIllary were to suggest that anyone who wished could chip in the uproar would be worse than Benghazi. Since Rubio is one of their own, they will ignore it.
The Nation: It worked for Trudeau and Obama. I think any postivie campaign would have more success than what we have been seeing. People are really tired of all the negativity and insane attacks the two parties are making. The Democrats need to stop cowering and stand up for human rights, income equality, women's rights and reasonable gun control. They might get more respect from millions of voters if they would do this.
My Universe: Yes it does, and I have been blessed with friends.
I'm afraid you're correct Edie! "Since Rubio is one of their own, they will ignore it."
Thanks everyone. New post coming up!