Last night was a mostly sleepless night, or it certainly felt that way. Hence I indulged in a needed cat nap this evening which put me behind. I was teaching today and running interference with young Simon who chose to be especially naughty today. I think it is time to have a discussion with the kids about acceptable play. I think that Simon is following their lead in roughhousing without knowing the consequences. The work of a teacher is never done. Tomorrow, it's off to Costco with Lucia, my student, for a major shop . . . 6 mouths to feed!
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:43 (average 5:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes
CBC — "Now, we feel as if we got out of hell and we came to paradise," Jamkossian told Trudeau through an interpreter. "That's how we feel." …
In Syria, Zires worked as a clerk in a women's clothing shop and Jamkossian worked as a blacksmith.
A better life for their daughter Madeleine was the main motivation for coming to Canada.
"She is the reason for us to come here because here she can do many things," Zires said, also through an interpreter. "In other countries, she can do nothing."
Read through to hear some of the experiences that these refugees have had to endure. My physiotherapist fled Iran 7 years ago because he and his wife wanted a better life for their children. My ESL student fled South Sudan and then Uganda with her two oldest children because of the violence and war. The military/industrial complex, the merchants of death, grow fat while children die. The US needs to get its act together to live up to the words on the plaque at the Statue of Liberty, or maybe we should take the statue away.
CBC — Calls are growing to remove Donald Trump's name from a Vancouver tower following the Republican presidential candidate's call for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States."
After Trump made the remarks on Monday, former Vancouver city planner Brent Toderian tweeted that the developers building the Trump Tower in Vancouver should remove his name from the building.
"I seriously suggest that Vancouverites call on @TrumpVancouver to remove his name," Toderian said on Twitter.
That call was then echoed by Vancouver city councillor Kerry Jang on Tuesday, who says the city can't do anything to stop the building from bearing Trump's name, but he has written to the developer asking them to part ways with Trump.
Trump's hate rhetoric is having more than just political consequences and goes beyond the US borders. There are petitions to have him banned in Australia and I believe the UK. Here in Vancouver, a petition with over 45,000 signatures and a movement to boycot the new Trump Tower are proceeding. Dubai has taken Trump's name from a Dubai golf course. It must really suck to be Trump with so many people world wide disliking you intensely.
The Nation — So what is really being discussed in DC by the party establishment is a strategy to unite all the delegates who are not Trump backers behind an alternative candidate. Under this theory, Trump might arrive with 49 percent of the delegates and get beat by some united-front alternative like Jeb Bush or Chris Christie or Paul Ryan or Mitt Romney.
This is a lot like what was said to be happening during Canada's last election . . . strategic voting . . . with the goal of anyone but Harper! It is too bad that the RNC didn't act sooner to contain Trump earlier. Or perhaps as a progressive, I should say "way to go RNC!". Trump could split the vote if he goes independent.
My Universe —
17 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 11/12/2015”
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CBC: What a wonderful and sweet reception for these families. I wish I could say the same about the good ole USA though.
CBC2: I really don't think Trump cares. He's a narcissist, xenophobic, racist, and misogynistic individual.
He lacks respect, remorse, or empathy for anyone except himself.
~~"That’s enough of me talking about myself; let’s hear you talk about me”― Anonymous
The Nation: According to a tweet he sent out 3 days ago (*Vox), Trump: "A new poll indicates that 68% of my supporters would vote for me if I departed the GOP & ran as an independent." The GOP has gotten themselves in a fine mess over this. He's an embarrassment to our Nation, and to the world.
My Universe: How cute! He made a cute snowman…;-)
Hope that you have a good day shopping, enjoy your day.
Thanks, Lynn.
Isn't he though! Too bad his mother didn't know about abortion. She could have done the world a favour.
LS: Children need to be taught on how to play with others. Yes, teachers have lots to do with kids of all ages. Teachers deserve to be paid well.
CBC 1: The refugees want a better life for themselves and for their children.
Yes, the military-Industrial complex along with the CIA, corporations need to stop terrorizing and raping the world for its greed and profits.
CBC 2: It depends upon who has ownership of the "trump" tower in Vancouver which will determine if the name me stays or not.
Glad that other countries around the world are taking action against "Hairball" Trump. Good for them.
Nation: It is wonderful to see that the GOP is in turmoil. They do not have a single candidate worthy of presidential potential. Let them bicker, fight and sling hash.
Whether the RNC realize it or not, "Hairball" Trump is the face of the GOP.
Universe: silly kitty. lol.
Lucia and her kids are keeping you very busy, Lynn. Sounds like you're both teacher and filling in a bit of the father role for this family. You're doing a marvelous job and it must be really gratifying to see the kids grow up well and give Lucia some time for herself now and again. Some catnaps to support your work are on their way.
CBC: Isn't that what all parents want, a life without danger and fear, possibly a better life than they have had up to now?
CBC2: Banning Trump from countries and taking his name of buildings should be seen as putting up red flags for anyone wanting to vote for him, but Trump himself won't be touched by it, his narcissism is so pathological that nothing will get through. Pesky communists/socialists/ libruls trying to derail his campaign, that's all.
The Nations: The RNC has left it far too long: Trump has turned himself into the icon of Republicanism with their backing and throwing him out now will only further damage them. And if they don't, Trump will further damage them. Looks like a win-win situation from this side of the political spectrum.
My Universe: Thanks for my big grin. Loved that cat.
Because Lucia's husband mentally, verbally and physically abused her, the kids saw this and I think that they are a bit on the wild side. But I support her, insisting that they show respect etc and enforcing her rules like "no food in the living room". They listen and comply with my requests. We will make progress. And yes, they keep me very busy.
Kudos to our Squatch for her goodness.
3:02: Sailing to a restaurant.
Different article, same ditch.
Tear the building down.
The Democrats also have a problem with Super-delegates. Hillary is deringing them onboard.
That DAWG must be a Republican.
Yes on the DAWG – the dead giveaway is the leg-lifting 😉
Sailing to the winner's circle!
Wouldn't I love to tear down the building, or at least deTrump it!
The dawg is definitely a Republican!
6:16 (average 5:51) Fingers and mouse got numb in the wet cold.
CBC I – The US would be a whole lot better off if our MSM were sharing stories like this instead of fanning the flames of Islamophobia. But everyone except MSNBC abd PBS take their cues from Faux.
CBC II – No, it doesn't suck to be Trump. He is incapable of processing that he is hated by intelligent people (as opposed to "losers.") And there are all those violent supporters feeding his ego. But it DOES suck to be an intelligent person in the US watching all of this! I could call it a circus, but a circus is at least some fun. This is just sheer torture.
Nation – So the RNC is finally taking Trump seriously. I just hope it isn't too little too late. My dream is to have Trump run as an Independent and split the right. It would be even a better dream if I thought the split at the top of the ballot would assist Progressives all the way down to the bottom of the ballot.
Universe – This from Michigan. (Tongue is a leaf)
Great pic!
I LOVE Simon's cat!
Me too!
Thank You Lynn . good read.
CBC (2): I do not think Trump thinks it sucks to have so many people disliking him so intensely, but rather relishes ANY attention that circles around his navel!
I won't read the stories about the refugees, as it will cause m to pour tears all over my 'puter, but about the US getting its act together, I think the idea of taking the Statue of Liberty away, while radical, might have some value!
How about we get Trump to run, independently, with Dr. Ben as his VP candidate? Sounds like a film of not that long ago, "Dumb and Dumber."
I only thought of this at C2, but, can you imagine whtat would have happened with in reard to the refugees, if harper were still PM? He would have invited Donaldfor a "sleep over," and they would have invited the KKK.
Mitch, the refugees arriving would not have happened. Canada is not perfect . . . far from it. And we have our Islamophobes unfortunately. But we now have a Prime Minister that is providing leadership and setting the tone. He was there to greet the first plane load of refugees and saying "hello" in Arabic. I am grateful for his "walking the talk".
Thanks everyone!!