Well, Friday is done and Saturday is upon us. Teaching went well today. When I am there, I usually get called to explain other things like letters and today it was a report card for the 8 year old girl. Even though she was born in Canada, she has difficulty with English because she speaks Juba at home with her mother. But she is making good progress and I am really proud of her! On top of that, I learned another Farsi expression . . . ché ha bas . . . which means what's up? Of course this is a phonetic spelling using the English alphabet. Learning new stuff keeps a person young.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 2:57 (average 5:17). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes
The Nation — I hate to pick on Carly Fiorina, since she’s dropping in GOP presidential polls, but she’s the most avid purveyor of falsehoods in the 2016 Republican field next to Donald Trump. She spewed some whoppers Thursday on MSNBC’sMorning Joe. They’re worth examining because they show the way GOP cynics, most of whom know better, are exploiting anti-government hysteria on the right as they close their ears to overwhelming public demand for tougher gun laws.
Isn't it truly amazing how the Republican presidential hopefuls are whipping up anti-government sentiments in their base while seeking to lead that same government. And the base either does not see this, is wilfully ignorant, or just doesn't care as long as the black man in the White House is gone. And her arguments hold no water. Fiorina is such an airhead.
CBC — Governor General David Johnston called Canada's response to the refugee crisis a defining moment for the country earlier this week as he met with aid agencies and political, business and community leaders to discuss how to better coordinate the work of resettling 25,000 Syrians by February.
"This is a defining moment for Canada, a defining moment for all of us,'' he told the forum. "It's even more than that. It's an opportunity to reimagine how we take care of the most marginalized and vulnerable among us."
But does that sentiment extend beyond the imperatives of a current crisis?
A good question for all nations that have indigenous peoples. GG David Johnston's statement "It's an opportunity to reimagine how we take care of the most marginalized and vulnerable among us.", should be enough of a catalyst for Canadians to embrace the plight of our First Nations peoples, as well as the Syrian refugees that are coming. I hope we don't have to wait until 2017 to see the federal government's plan of addressing First Nations' issues. We, as a society have to drop our stereotypical approach and attitude, rather seeing all people as equal partners in society.
Huffington Post — As global population soars, healthcare is reaching a crisis point: developing countries struggle with a lack of access while countries like the U.S. struggle to manage an inefficient system that spends billions on unnecessary care. After a life-changing trip to Haiti, one doctor teamed up with a small bioengineering company with a mission to empower patients.
With a title like "Canadian Doctor's Device Could Save Americans Billions", I was intrigued as to what this could be. So that I don't give away anything, and as someone with multiple health issues, SIGN ME UP!!!!! NOW!!!!! Click through to the 12 minute video. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Mother Jones — [Missouri] State Rep. Stacey Newman, a Democrat, prefiled a bill this week for the next legislative session that, if passed, would subject potential gun buyers to the same rigmarole of restrictions—a 72-hour waiting period, an explanatory video, a doctor meeting, a facility tour, reviews of photographs, and more—that are already imposed on or have been proposed for Missouri women seeking abortions.
In my opinion, this seems very reasonable, especially given the recent spate of mass shootings. Are Republicans trying to say that the life of a zygote is more precious than the lives of 20 grade one children, or eight African American church members, or seventeen adults with families to support and love? When we drive a vehicle, we must have training, a license, insurance etc. Why not when buying a gun which can be equally deadly? Of course, this is just too much common sense for any Republican.
My Universe —
5 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 05/12/2015”
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Keep it up, Lynn, learning always keeps you young, your mind flexible and open to new things.
The Nation: It never fails to amaze me how Republican candidates can exploit the distrust of nation of it's own government and then have them vote for those who are the least trustworthy of all. I just don't understand how the mind of Republican voters works, or perhaps more accurately: fails to work. I do, however, understand how these candidates can exploit that fear or mistrust of something they are often part off themselves. They may have American values, greatness, pride et cetera in their slogans, but none of them gives a rat's bottom about America, they only care about one thing and that is themselves. These narcissists don't want to govern a democratic society, they want to rule an Empire. They want to be the Emperor, der Führer, Big Daddy or whatever new name they come up for their type of leadership. If they need to cater to the fringe to get there, that's what they'll do. And if Democrats don't see how dangerous they are, one of them will.
CBC: I think a lot of Canadians sense the urgency of this statement. They feel things had been going the wrong way and the first step was to boot the conservatives out. Now it's time to think on what kind of society they want to be (again). I hope it's not enough to return to the pre-Harper Canada, because that would not include the First Nations. Canada now has the chance to be more than pre-Harper, it can be the new Canada for ALL it's people, from the first that were there to the last that just has come in.
HuPo: Yes this is the future, but again, if not managed properly, it is the future for those with money enough and with digital access enough and not for the poor and/or remote.
MuJo: Missouri State Rep. Stacey Newman has put all the right ideas in his (symbolic) gun control bill, but it is virtually guaranteed to fail in Missouri's Republican-controlled legislature. Because it will only be read (that's putting it as positive as possible) within that political circle it seems a bit of a waste of time. Democrats should take initiatives like that an try to spread it where it can add to the discussion and that it not Missouri's Congress in the grips of Republican gun-lovers with hermetically sealed minds.
My Universe: That brought my blood pressure down some points, thank you.
The Nation: By, all means, pick on her. lol. While I don't listen to Joe, nor Fiorina, I don't see where she brings any legitimate solution to this subject, or… anything really. Blithering ID, imo.
CBC: Great article. Texas is receiving Syrian refugees starting next week.
*Link: http://www.chron.com/news/article/21-Syrian-refugees-now-set-to-come-to-Texas-but-6675108.php
MJ: Kudos to Ms. Newman for her bill. Hope that it passes.The ID's will 'nay' it, as it pertains to women, and of course, guns.
My Universe: So ADorable! As I volunteer at the local shelter here, I see little furbabies like come through. If I had a bigger house, and the $$, I'd bring every one of these critters home with me.
Hope to have a restful weekend, as I was volunteering all week long…hope that you enjoy yours too.
Thanks, Lynn.
Kudos to the Squatch!!
4:23
You insulted airheads everywhere.
Canuckudos!!
Great Minds! 🙂
Hugs!
4:38 Pretty pony.
Nation – I personally don't hate to pick on Carly Fiorina; I will do it any chance I get. Some survey company sent me a survey to evaluate TV ads, including one of hers. Well, they got what would have been an earful if it were sound – does one say "an eyefull" if one is reading it?
CBC – With our screening process in the United States, we can't expect to see any actual refugees before 2018, if then. And then Republicans want to make it tighter. Good Gad. You are right, First Nations should not be forgotten for any reason, and I hope they aren't.
HuffPo – Fascinating.
MoJo – I don't think that Republicans are TRYING to say "that the life of a zygote is more precious than the lives of 20 grade one children, or eight African American church members, or seventeen adults with families to support and love." I think that behind the dog whistle is the idea that any man's sperm is more precious than any woman's life. Your examples are just collateral damage. As far as gun control, that is genderless, so not worth addressing. A couple of years ago, she introduced a similar bill targeting men getting vasectomies. It didn't even get the national recognition that this is getting.
Universe – Amazing where those little furs can fit, isn't it?
Kudos on your ESL class, a very worthwhile endeavor.
The Nation: I shared this on Facebook. I have a friend who is an avid supporter of Fiorino and believes every word she says, so I know I will be getting blowback tomorrow. This article pinpoints the huge problems created by a party that only wants to keep people ignorant and fearful and will do anything to hold their power. Since a majority of Americans want gun control, our government should comply. They don't because too many in our HOuse and Senate are controlled by the NRA.
CBC: Sounds much like our Native American's plight, but at least Trudeau is addressing it. I do not recall any American official addressing the plight of our indiginous people. Kudos to Trudeau.
Huffpost: I bookmarked this to watch tomorrow.
Mother JOnes: Love this woman.
My Universe: Made me want a kitten or puppy and I can't have either.