Yesterday I finally got to take my first shower since 9/5. I can’t tell you what a relief it is not to smell something rancid and know it’s me. Because it involves a nurse leaving this unit with me, it’s hard to schedule, but I’m hoping to get a couple a week. Fantasy football players, don’t forget to have your lineups set early this week, as there are two games on Thanksgiving Day.
Religious Ecstasy:
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: In 2014, Americans donated an estimated $350 billion to charities. A generous country we are, but how much of those funds actually benefit those in need? You might not want to know. There are good charities. There are bad charities. And there are the worst charities.
America’s “worst” charities have gained their titles by how much they raise in donations for their cause—and how little of that money goes towards the same cause. As these deceptive organizations ask you for your financial support, many lie about where or to whom that money is alloted, sometimes paying themselves “multiple salaries” and “consulting fees.” One cancer charity paid the company president’s son nearly $18 million over eight years, to solicit donations. The Tampa Bay Times reports:
Some nonprofits are little more than fronts for fundraising companies, which bankroll their startup costs, lock them into exclusive contracts at exorbitant rates and even drive the charities into debt.
How Republican!! Click through for the list. I’m amazed that Susan G Komen for the Cure isn’t on the list. Considering all they have spent lobbying to prevent women form getting breast cancer screenings and other women’s healthcare from Planned Parenthood, they should be on it.
From NY Times: Donald J. Trump said on Sunday he was in favor of the actions of his supporters who reportedly punched and kicked a protester from the Black Lives Matter movement who interrupted Mr. Trump’s campaign rally the previous day in Birmingham, Ala.
“Maybe he should have been roughed up, because it was absolutely disgusting what he was doing,” Mr. Trump said in an interview with “Fox and Friends” on Sunday. “This was not handled the way Bernie Sanders handled his problem, I will tell you.”
To support violence against a protestor is typical rabid Republican response. But Hairball is a typical Republican.
The Squatch beat me to John Oliver, so you only get two short takes.
Cartoon:
Considering yesterday’s cartoon, this is why.
10 Responses to “On the Edge–11/23/2015”
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How nice you got your shower! Must have helped you feel human again! And having the Broncos be victorious – the frosting on the cake – the cherry on the sundae.
Daily Kos – Do click through to this, if for no other reason than to access and bookmark the links for checking charities out. TC, I am with you, Susan G Komen is definitely one of MY worst charities. But you gotta admit the competition is keen.
Speaking of keen competition, has everyone voted yet for worst toy of the year? The nominees and descriptions are at http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/toady2015 and it seems like they are all worse than they have ever been. Weapons and sexualization we have always had, but the spying toys are, I think, a new low.
NY Times – As far out in right field as Trump is, I think we may be in danger of not taking him seriously enough. We are hoping for him to be the GOP nominee in order to gain an easy victory, but I don't think it's really that simple. I think fortunately, the GOP establishment doesn't want him, and against all our intuition, may save us.
Cartoon – I would hope so.
DK: I used to help with the Susan G. Koman drive as my 'old' school was involved with it, but stopped as it was strong arm tactics to volunteer, help for the race, cookie sales, the race, etc. I'm sure that Ms.Salerno CEO, makes a hefty salary too. I contribute to the local animal shelter as a volunteer, the local food pantry here, and St. Jude's. It's not much, but it makes me feel like I'm contributing to a worthy cause.
NY Times: This is sickening. Reminds me of when Mr. Ramos was ejected from Trump's conference. Sadly, alot of people are listening to him. ugh!!!
Big news for you TC! So glad that you got your shower. Hope that you enjoy your evening, take care, and Thanks, TC.
John's video is excellent, I commented on Lynn's too.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Kennedy. 52 years ago yesterday.
I must tell you that the bruhaha at the Trump rally came whlie I was reading "Focus, " by Arthur Miller. In the novel, one I would suggest to anyone (I wrote a review of it in the "A Place for Bookworms" group, which is an open group for anyone ho thrives on reading) there is a scene at a Christian Front rally which so clearly mirrors what went on at the Hairball one, it is eiree. This SOB is soooo pressing the demagogue of hate buttons! He is becoming the new poster boy for American fascism!
I think I might have suggested another book, the other day, but if it was not here, let me do it now: "ISLAM AND THE FUTURE OF TOLERANCE, A Dialogue," by Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz, is s quick, engrossing read, and something odf an eye opener about Islamism, which is not the same as Islam.
I will go so far as to say that this book is "must" reading for anyone wanting to engage in discourse, either within one's own head, or with others, about ISIS, and other Jihadist threats…or about Islam, itself.
I have always felt that a shower is some of the best therapy going
Hell, YES!
I am so happy for you, that you could get your shower. Hopefully, that is the beginning of great things.
Daily Kos: This is why I only donate to local charities now. I donated to the Humane Society of America for years, only to discover that most of their money went to their executives. I also quit the ASPCA when I discovered that they saved very few animals with the vast sums of money they received. We donate to the local Hunger Pantry and local Animal Rescue groups now. I do not donate to anyone who solicits by phone.
NY Times: There was a report on CNN today that the more outrageous Trump acts, the more popular he becomes. This is mind boggling to me.
Cartoon: Yes he would!
Yay, you finally had your long awaited shower! You coat must be really fresh and shiny now, TomCat, and you're back to be an tuxedo instead of a dull-greasy-gray-all-over 😉
Daily Kos: Fraudulent or fake charities have been a thing of all times, but it is so easy now to set up a really slick webpage or print out some marvelously heartbreaking fliers, and there are so many calamities about to set up a charity for that we're overrun with them. A good charity must be accredited and has to let itself be screened each year – well, at least they need to here – but when do we bother to check those credentials? It's very hard to say "Hold on, I've got to check you accreditation first on the internet" when confronted with heartbreaking stories and photos and a cry for help.
NY Times: Trump is starting to sound more and more like our equally popular Geert Wilders. This populist rebel-rouser is equally anti-Muslim and racist, although he doesn't rouse against our black citizens from Surinam and the Dutch Antilles. Wilders' financial agenda is more left wing however, against banksters and corporations and wanting more money for the elderly and disabled, so Trump wouldn't cut it here. But populism is alive and kicking everywhere and Trump seems to be thriving on its empty rhetoric and promise he can't possibly keep. Yes, (some) people are that stupid. History is full of them.
So glad the shower worked out–I'm sure it was much like after a cast comes off relief.
Rip off charities and Trump do compete for most vile indeed. Yeah, JFK may have bowed to Chevron in the Gulf of Tonkin, but was not inclined to wars that didn't bring us oil.
Thanks all! Hugs!!
I wondered why the air quality here had changed for the better! Now I know. It is a marvellous feeling having a real shower after not being able to have one for so long. When I broke my ankle and was hospitalised for a week 14 years ago, I was wheeled into a "shower" and then the aid literally hosed me down with what looked like a garden hose. It was even better 2 months later when I was able to shower with no garbage bag taped over my leg!
Daily Kos — My first thought was of the SGK foundation before I read your comment. I know many Americans don't like regulation in general, but perhaps it is time to attach some minimum threshold levels to the IRS charitable donation designation so that people can have some kind of idea about how the donations are spent. Here in Metro Vancouver, the United Way spends 90% of donations on their various causes while the remaining 10% goes to administration costs. That figure comes from the years I worked on United Way and I have no reason to believe that has changed. If there is an unusual administrative cost, there is an endowment fund which takes care of it, not the programmes that UW supports. Have a look at The United Way of the Lower Mainland.
NY Times — It is telling with any candidate when they can't handle a lone protester with more finesse. What would a President Trump do if Putin protested a US move? Never mind . . . stupid question! He'd bomb the crap out of him!
Cartoon — I remember the day JFK was assassinated . . . where I was . . . what I was wearing . . . and that great feeling of doom. Over the years I have learned more about the man, and although he was not perfect, I believe there were forces at work to destroy him, maybe over the war in Vietnam, maybe over other things like civil rights which LBJ pushed forward.