I am light on short takes today as this evening took a difficult twist. I enjoyed the pizza night with the kids, but after mum arrived home, there was a call from police saying that her 16 year old son had been beaten and robbed and was being taken to hospital by ambulance. Because of mum's lack of English and unable to drive, I took point this evening. The teen was discharged from hospital and I don't know where he went. I hope he got on a bus home, but I wanted to go get him and see him safely home. I just finished my last call with the police at 2:38 am so I am going to bed. Please keep this teen in your thoughts and prayers until we can ensure he is OK. I appreciate it very much.
Update — I confirmed this morning that the young man made it home safely just after midnight.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:24 (average 5:27). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Short Takes
The Guardian — Malala Yousafzai has told Emma Watson that the actor’s speech to world leaders made her change her mind about not describing herself as a feminist.
The 18-year-old human rights and education champion from Pakistan met the film star at the premiere of a documentary about her, called He Named Me Malala.
Yousafzai, a Nobel peace prize winner, said she initially thought feminism was a “tricky word” but now believed everyone should be a feminist.
Watson, a UN global goodwill ambassador for women, gave a speech to the UN last year to launch her “He for She” campaign, aimed at encouraging men to speak up for women’s rights.
Click through for the remainder of the article. Also, NPR had an interview of Malala which follows.
This has implications for all people, no matter the country. It would be great if Republicans could be called "feminists" but I am sure that hell would have to freeze over first.
The Nation — “From coast to coast, Americans are taking action to reduce the influence of wealthy and well-connected special interests on our politics and on our democracy,” says Congressman John Sarbanes, the Maryland Democrat who has emerged as one of the most innovative thinkers in Congress when it comes to election reform issues.
“Nearly 70 percent of Americans feel that our political system is broken because it works for wealthy donors and special interests at the expense of everyday Americans,” says Sarbanes, who suggests that members of Congress should “take the [cue] from state and local efforts that fight back against big money in politics and pass sensible reforms at the federal level to take power away from wealthy special interests and return it to everyday people.”
Here in Canada, change was the word that electors sought. And we did it by dumping Harper and bringing in a majority Liberal government. It sounds like Americans are seeking change too. Keep at it and don't accept 'no' for an answer. Click through for thr rest of John Nichols' piece.
My Universe — The cone of shame!
12 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 08/11/2015”
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4:42 Are those gummi worms in the upper right? Are they sours? Oh dear – temptation!
I have mixed feelings on whether Election Day should be a holiday – I am a big proponent of voting by mail, which would make the holiiday unnecessary. But I am hugely in favor ofmaking NEXT E;ection Day a holiday. It would help to level the playing field at a time when mail balloting is not available to most. So I'm glad that DFA, Brave New Films, Daily Kos, and the others in the coalition thought of it. Petition at http://www.signforgood.com/electiondayholiday/
Also there's a bad nomination up for the FDA. Petition and why he's bad at https://act.credoaction.com/sign/Big_Pharma_Califf_FDA
Guardian – Thank you so much for featuring this interview. Two giants. And even better together.
Nation – Interesting he should cite state and local efforts when that is where we are really losing the worst right now. Of course the Supreme Court had a hand in that with their cavalier disregard of voting rights (credit where due: Not all of them!)
Universe – Well, that's certainly one way to deal with the cone of shame.
Both petitions in Joanne's box signed. Thanks to Joanne for petitions.
Thanks JD. Both petitions signed.
I'm glad he is safe–how scary for those who care about him.
Two diverse women making a huge difference albeit in different ways.
Sarbanes is someone to watch for the future–he could well make a big difference for all of us.
Thanks Lynn
Just read where the Pentagon's plan to close Gitmo is due out within a week.
The Senate passed a defence spending bill blocking Obama's Gitmo plan. However, there are hints that Obama will use executive action to close Gitmo.
The Guardian: Wonderful video. I wish both these feminists well.
The Nation: As well as we should in voting. Signed both petions, thank you, Joanne.
Relieved to read that Gitmo (finally!!) is closing. Thank you, JL for this info.
My Universe: Brand new Simon with the cone on his head. I've seen the dog under the Thanksgiving table eating scraps. Wouldn't it be grand if Repugs had to wear one? LOL.
What a way to end the night, after having fun with the kids! Glad that her son will be all right, and I hope that they find out who did that to him. A mother's nightmare (and yours), for sure. Enjoy your evening, Thanks, Lynn.
So sad when our teens are victimized in that manner! Poor kid! He must've been totally freaked out! Hope he is recovering from his ordeal.
Malala is the most important teen in the world! She makes the older generation look lazy. Or at least me! She has done so much in her short life that I am amazed how she keeps it all together!!!
Checking Joanne's petition. Will sign later.
So glad the young man made it home ok. Poor family, they didn't need that to happen.
NPR: Malala is an amazing young woman. I liked that she said feminism is another word for equality. That is what we all hope for some day. My granddaughter is only six, but she all ready feels equal to anyone, and I hope it stays that way for her.
The Nation: Ohio, Maine, and Seattle are on the right track, now we need to get going everywhere else, to end the gerrymandering and billion dollar pacs that currently control our elections.
My Universe: Poor cat. This might be a good idea to use a cone on my two fat cats, Oreo and Gracie. They are overweight and love to eat.
What a terrible ending to a good day overall, Lynn. So glad that you found out this morning that the boy was alright, but I bet you sleep was both short and troubled. Have a catnap to make up for it, if you can.
The Guardian: Thanks for posting this, Lynn Both young women are such wonderful role-models for a new generation of feminists who will no longer think that it is a dirty word but but represents a way of thinking about equality and can be appropriate for both women and men. And no, Republicans don't think in terms of equality, not between men and women, not between People and LGBT folks, not between whites and any people of any other color and not between Chistians and any ony other (non)religion, so they'll never be able to understand it unless they leave their ideology behind.
The Nation: John Sarbanes' innovative thinking doesn't limit itself to election reform issues, but encompasess a new future for America, one with far reduced influence by the extreme wealthy on politics, economy, environment and health., to name but a few. And chnage is the key to taht future.
My Universe: Soooo recognisable if one of your cats ever had such a stupid cone around its nek. I had to build a special elevation to put food and water on so the poor mite could get a mouthful of either.
Please excuse the many spelling mistakes, I'm having quite some problems with the site and didn't notice the speller was off.
Unfortunately there were no catnaps. I went to see my mother at 4 pm and didn't get home until 10 pm. And no sleeping in after that because I had physio Monday morning. I suspect my lowsy sleep on the weekend was complicit in me getting the cough etc again.