Well, it seems that I have come down with a cold, sore throat and flu. Just getting this Open Thread done has been an exercise in "write some, sleep a lot" and repeat. I am not a happy camper. Tomorrow, Nameless will be producing the Open Thread which is so good! I'll be back on Sunday.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:52 (average 6:42). To do it, click here. Diamonds are not necessarily a girl's best friend!
Short Takes
Alternet — After Trey Gowdy called for proper decorum to be observed — then promptly broke it himself when he went directly after “Democrats” on the committee for performing a “lousy” investigation during his opening statement — ranking minority member of the House Select Committee on Benghazi Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) ripped into his Republican colleagues with an opening statement that painstakingly laid out clear evidence that this latest investigation into the attacks in Benghazi is a political charade meant to undercut Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
Hear "A visibly upset Rachel Maddow slammed House Republicans on Thursday for their handling of the Benghazi commission investigation, calling it a first for congressional probes of its kind."
Unfortunately, I can not embed the Rachel Maddow piece so you'll have to click on "Hear". She certainly shows a historical perspective, and also the Republicans for what they are . . . a partisan band of maurading thugs! And isn't it just like a Republican to 'do as I say, not as I do'.
Mother Jones — Donald Trump loves to tweet about how climate change is a hoax, especially when he personally feels cold. Because, you know, if global warming is really real, then it will never be cold anywhere ever again. (Just kidding. Winter is still a thing.)
He was at it again on Monday, tweeting that since it was "really cold outside," we "could use a big fat dose of global warming!" Sick burn, Donald!
I wonder what this bloviating blowhard would say to anyone standing beside him who dared say they were warm when he was cold? He has a total disregard for science. And I haven't even mentioned Hurricane Patricia, a category 5 storm, which is bearing down on SW Mexico with one-minute sustained winds of up to 325 kilometres an hour, the strongest on record, according to meteorological officials. Not only that, but the storm is expected to affect Texas. This from the CBC
Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen said Patricia also poses problems for Texas. Forecast models indicate that after the storm breaks up over land, remnants of its tropical moisture will likely combine with and contribute to heavy rainfall that is already soaking Texas independently of the hurricane, he said.
A flash flood watch is in effect through Sunday morning for the Dallas area, Austin and San Antonio, while a coastal flood warning was in effect through Friday night in Corpus Christi. Galveston was under a coastal flood advisory until Saturday night.
And tell us again Trump how global warming and climate change don't exist. What a putz! Please keep the people affected by this montrous hurricane in your thoughts and prayers.
The Guardian — Those hoping for a U-turn in Canada’s climate change policy after Stephen Harper’s crushing defeat are in for a reality check.
Trudeau has repudiated Harper’s vision of Canada as an “energy superpower”, promised to reverse devastating cuts to government science budgets, and fix the country’s reputation as a carbon bully in international climate negotiations.
But it would be a mistake to see Trudeau or the Liberals as climate champions. In his victory speech on Monday, there was no mention of climate change, and he was criticised for being vague on the issue during campaigning.
This from a CBC article
"I indicated to Mr. Obama that I felt it was important that Canada demonstrates a level of positive engagement on the environmental file on the international stage.
"I look forward to demonstrating that we have a Canadian government now that understands the way to build a strong economy is to protect and defend our environment at the same time."
It is hard to know exactly where Canada's new Prime Minister designate will fall on climate change. The Guardian makes one point that won't endear Trudeau to the environmental crowd, while the CBC shows a different side. It will be 'hold his feet to the fire' time.
My Universe
This is sooooooooo true!
In my house, there is a steady parade behind me. I had to give up shutting the door because otherwise, my three would make their own kitty door!
20 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 23/10/2015”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Elijah deserves kudos.
Hope you can fight off your bug fast.
Hope Trudeau ensures Canada commits to do its essential part in Paris and Trump should go visit Galvestan for the weekend.
Yup-no closed doors between kitties and their so-called masters or mistresses.
THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW 10/22/15
If ever there was a good time for a Hillary Clinton interview…
Rachel Maddow reminds viewers that Hillary Clinton will be her guest, Friday night, 10/23 at 9pm ET, to talk for the first time about the Benghazi committee hearing and Joe Biden's decision not to run and anything else we can fit in. Duration: 0:46
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/good-time-for-a-hillary-clinton-interview…-549918788000
Then Rachel gets into the Benghazi News after the Hillary Interview announcement.
Curious why your link didn't work, because it looks like it's straight from the address bar:
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/good-time-for-a-hillary-clinton-interview…-549918788000
It is straight from the address bar! lol. The MSNBC links do not work well anymore when copied directly from the address bar. It is a problem these days as MSNBC appears to not want people to link into Rachel and other liberal, progressive news commentators anymore. I heard that MSNBC is getting rid of those liberals, progressive commentators to go with Morning Joe programming and in favor of faux news programming style. MSNBC has expanded Morning Joe and have cut back on the liberal, progressive programming.
The …- in the address bar, link may be causing the problem. Best to do is copy and paste, both the cold and hot link, address directly into your bowser. I just tried it, copied both the cold and hot address and pasted it into two different bowsers and it did not work. Arrugh! I suppose it would be prudent to go directly to Rachel Maddow and look for the news cast itself. It may be harder as her new web site, run by MSNBC, is difficult to navigate. There have been many complaints regarding access to Rachel's web site the past few months ever since MSNBC changed her format completely.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show
4:49 (6:42) I'm sorry, but I think they're tacky.
AlterNet – Cummings did us proud. Daily Kos emailed a special list of 5 articles (of course I won't even try to share 5). These two, however:
I support Bernie, tonight I stand with Hillary.
THANK YOU, Bernie supporters who spoke up to stand with Hillary yesterday.
The mirror image unity they celebrate is SO NICE to see and I am SO PROUD to be associated with a party thatcan, even if maybe only for a short while, demonstrate such dignity!
The actual links are:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/23/1437616/-I-support-Bernie-Tonight-I-stand-with-Hillary
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/23/1437715/-THANK-YOU-Bernie-Supporters-who-spoke-up-to-stand-with-Hillary-yesterday
Hear – Visibly upset indeed. Not without sufficient, more than sufficient reason.
MoJo – He is not the only one, there are tons of them. I could easily be one myself if I wasn't smart enough and have enough imagination. Every year I seem to feel colder at the same temperature than I did the year before. But I know my feelings have nothing to do with reality. Perhaps if Trump did, he wouldn't be so badly behind to Carson right now.
Guardian – As I've already said, now is the time for rolling up sleeves and getting to work. And good luck to all you Canadians who will be doing just that.
Universe – Yup. Looks familiar, if nostalgic for me.
Joanne, I am a Bernie fan, too, but I fully support Hillary in this. I will vote for either of them that gets the nomination.
I am also a supporter of Bernie and do respect Hillary's calm stance during the witch hunt by the GOP. Kudos to Hillary!
The two Daily Kos links, in Joanne's comment box above, after reading them both, reminds me of Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood and her calm demeanor during her recent House Judiciary Committee "talks".
Boehner's new select committee will be investigating Planned Parenthood, The committee’s setup is similar to that of the select panel investigating the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya.
Planned Parenthood blasted the creation of the panel as a purely political move.
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/257879-boehner-appoints-woman-to-chair-planned-parenthood-panel
Good luck with the bug, Lynn! Sounds horrid!
Trump needs to have a dose of what the Mexicans are having right now! He wants to deport all of them, let's see how he does with "Patricia"!!!! I'll bet Trump will be yelling "UNCLE" long before that Latina is through with us!!
That looks like my bathroom door when I try to go in there by myself! Mine have taken to scratching at the doorknob to get it open when they are trying to get to me. Don't ask me how they do it that far up. They must be standing on each other's backs, or something!!!
AlterNet: Mr. Cummings clearly defined what this hearing was all about. He ripped them a new one, alright!
Hear: Rachel explained this very well, great video. Regarding the 9th hearing on Benghazi, "Press that 'Reset' button, Rachel. Press it now."
My Universe: My kitty sits on the bathtub ledge. she talks about her day, I guess. LOL.
Gotta run. A hot cup of tea helps sore throats, and rest. Have a good evening, y'all.
Trump is a piece of climate change himself, blowing hot air all over the place. Weather authorities at the Hurricane Center ought to look into his culpability!
Hillary rocks; Gowdy did all but pee himself on TV!
Lots of fluids, more laughs would not hurt, either, Lynn!
I have a GREAT GIF for that – and just waiting for the opportunity to use it. Makes me chuckle just to think about it.
(Sad that the new format doesn't permit posting graphics)
Two things:
CLARIFICATION: When Lynn says "Nameless will be producing the Open Thread which is so good" she means it will be good that she can take a break – NOT that my Open Thread will be good!
How, exactly, do your cats make a "kitty door"?
I will say I, too, gave up the battle of closing the door – but my cat apparently lacks yours carpentry skills!
Looking forward to your post. My cats put their paw under the door and pull or push until they get the desired results.
That too, but I originally meant it would be a good post because you are delightfully funny, even with serious stuff.
They literally clawed their way through, or at least attempted it. Being the only human in the house, I have left the bathroom door open for years.
I hope you feel better soon, Lynn.
Alternet: I love Elijah Cummings, he speaks truth, and none of the Republicans dared to interrupt him. If the American public would listen to him instead of Faux news they would be in an up roar. I read today that 72% of American voters agree that Hillary did nothing wrong, so some Republicans have to be in the mix, that is encouraging.
Hear: Partisanship in this country has reached the point that they don't care if they destroy our whole country to justify their aims. I shared this on Facebook.
The Guardian and CBC are probably both somewhat right. It will take your new prime minister a while to find his way. We are hoping for the best for Canada.
My Universe: I cannot remember the last time I was alone in the bathroom, this is so true.
Thanks Edie. It shall pass sometime!
Alone in the bathroom? What's that?
Thanks everyone. I'm off to bed again.
Sorry to hear about your flu. Lynn. Make sure you don't fall into TomCat's trap too, and feel obliged to deliver a Thread even though you're ill. Take care of yourself first, the blog can wait, is what we told TomCat too, so… Get better soon, Lynn and see you then.
Alternet: Excellent action by committee member Democrat Elijah Cummings. As soon as Trey Gowdy went after the Democrats on the committee for their "lousy investigation", he was free to counter with this statement that went on record and was televised across the nation. He slammed each and every Republican candidate who had made false accusations against Hillary Clinton on Benghazi. Not that the rabid base of these candidates will ever listen to what Cummings had to say, nor comprehend what he was saying: "These candidates are slandering Hillary Clinton and the GOP allows, even encourages, them to do so", but it's on record now and Hillary can always refer to it if she feels the need.
Hear: I can't get the videos to run, but if Rachel Maddows was visibly upset by how the Republicans in this "committee" behaved, it must have been very bad, given that this kind of behavior seems to be the norm in Congress the last few years or so, but certainly since the GOP rules the House.
Mother Jones: Trump's tweets are once more a confirmation of the unlimited stupidity of this man. He's both so ignorant and narcissistic that he doesn't really know how ignorant he is. He's making these stupid jokes to appease his fellow 1%ers, most of whom, unlike Trump, are fully aware that global warming is no hoax, but will not acknowledge it publicly in fear of being held accountable for the acceleration of the phenomenon in the past decades and for passing the 2° temperature rise and point of no return by not doing anything and maintaining Global Warming is a hoax. They're very happy with Trump as a spokesman, a man so stupid he doesn't even feel ashamed of making such terrible jokes. I bet it doesn't occur to him that something drastic is happening when the meteorologists have to extend their storm scales past 5 to at least 6 and 7 because by now more than one storm has threatened to exceed the old scales.
I wonder if the 1% will donate towards help of those victims of Patricia in Mexico?
The Guardian and CBC: To the Dutch Liberals are still more to the right than center rather than left of progressive, and t global warming is one of the issues where progressive Canadians may regret having voted strategically Liberal and not NDP or Green. Trudeau may be a bit more environment minded, so may stop the tars and XL pipe line, but that is not the same as doing something about global warming. Him speaking of a strong economy sadly does not give the impression that this economy is not going to continue to build on the old style fossil fuel based economy but instead on a new sustainable one. He'll need a far stronger push for that, but with a majority in parliament that's going to be tough.
My Universe: The kitchen, yes, I'm never alone there, but they've no interest in the bathroom, not even when they have to wait for me to have my shower before I feed them in the morning.
Get Well Soon.(did you have a Flue Vaccination? If not ,Why NOT?.
So Paul Ryan wants guaranteed family time when he is made speaker. HE voted AGAINST "Family time for working "stiffs" a little time ago. What makes HIM so special???
One little addition. When I go to the bathroom. (even late at night) MY Three dogs ALL come with me. The cats. ? NO WAY will they inconvenience themselves).