Yesterday I spent a lot of time in bed, because it was so cold the heat had trouble keeping up. Today, I have lots of calling and scheduling to do. And there are lots of Republicans to put in the unemployment line in November.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:51 (average 5:12). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Religious Ecstasy:
Thanks to the world’s best backup QB, Denver has a week off and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Fantasy Football Report:
Here are the final results from Lefty Blog Friends, our own fantasy football league.
Congrats to all, especially Jack, Patty Monster, and Rob. In sixteen years of play, this was my worst showing ever, after being unconscious/delirious for the first six weeks. Next year I should do better.
Don’t forget that you all get to keep two players from your current teams, instead of drafting in the first two rounds, if you so choose.
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: A Pennsylvania man identified by Butler News as "John Pisone" (he’s now deleted his Facebook page) took time out of his busy day to stop and harass a group people protesting against fracking in Pennsylvania.
As the video starts, Pisone is chastising the protesters, questioning if they’ve ever had a job. Only seconds later, he turns to cameraman Tom Jefferson (who is black) and let’s loose a vulgar string of obscenities:
Pisone: This chimp right here (pointing at the camera).
Unidentified protester: What did you say?
Pisone: Yeah, chimp. This fucking nigger right here with a mop on his head.
Protestors: You better get out of here!
Pisone: I don’t give a fuck. He’s milking my fucking tax dollars.
Protestors: You better leave! You better get out now!
Pisone: I don’t give a fuck what you have to say.
He repeatedly made monkey noises at the cameraman and continued his racist rant (seen in the video below).
Tom Jefferson uploaded to the video to YouTube and it didn’t take long for outraged internet sleuths to contact his employer, MMC Land Management, who promptly fired John Pisone, releasing the following statement:
Today, we were disgusted to learn that one of MMC’s former employees used racial slurs and made racially charged comments during a peaceful protest in Mars, Pennsylvania, outside of work hours at a location with which we have no affiliation. We are sorry that this incident occurred. Whether at work or not, we do not condone hate speech – EVER. Inclusion and diversity are among MMC’s core values. We believe in equality for everyone, regardless of race, age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. MMC has terminated this employee and will never do business with him again in the future.
Republican Barf Bag Alert!!
This is the face of the Republican Party!
From NY Times: Renewing his emphasis on the need for more gun restrictions, President Obama will participate in a live televised town-hall-style meeting on Thursday to discuss gun violence in the United States, according to the White House.
The hourlong event, at George Mason University outside Washington, will be televised on CNN at 8 p.m. On Monday, Mr. Obama will meet with Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch to discuss what executive actions he can take to curb gun violence.
Republicans have their own solution: put more guns in the hands of people, who love to hate.
From Common Dreams: Ringing in the new year in Des Moines, Iowa, Bernie Sanders told crowds that the state has the power to "lead the political revolution" as his campaign cheered rally turnouts that "seem to be getting larger every day."
The choice is clear. We have revolution, or we have devolution.
Cartoon:
15 Responses to “Open Thread–1/4/2016”
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5:39 I've always loved Thai art, but evidently that doesn't help.
Religious ecstasy! So glad!
DKos – Great response by MMC. Kind of appropriate that the cameraman's name is Tom Jefferson.
NYTimes – Good. (Except that part about Republicans.)
Common Dreams – Bernie's dreams are common, in that they are shared with everyone who has a heart and a brain. I just wish that described more people.
Cartoon – Make it so. http://www.stampstampede.org/
These two articles made me cry this morning, although for different reasons –
http://www.thenation.com/article/grief-at-the-heart-of-a-moral-movement/
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/1/4/1465991/-Pastor-courageously-disarms-distraught-gunman-as-60-church-members-face-New-Years-Eve-massacre
3:52
2:55 Welcome!
Bigfooted again!!
Congratulations to your Broncos!
The only good thing about the sad state of the GOPig Party, is that they have created an atmosphere in which some of the craziest of them are willing to show themselves for the bozos they are…and the rest of us can see them without their white hoods.
NY Times: You go, Mr. Pres.!
CD: You go, Bernie!
The cartoon is marvelous!
Good point!
Sorry to hear you were so cold you had to stay in bed, Tomcat, I hope that as soon as the whole building has heated up enough to counter the outside cold you'll be able to stay out of bed as long as you want. Lots of layers of clothing may also help, but that might increase your laundry frequency a tad.
Daily Kos: The stupidity of these racists is beyond belief, but then it had to be for John Pisone to believe the racist theories of the GOP ("He [the black cameraman, Tom Jefferson] is milking my fucking tax dollars") and spout them. His employer MMC Land Management did well to sack Pisone, although mostly to safe face as it is under attack enough as a fracking company as it is. But Pisone is too stupid to understand why he was fired, which probably turns him even more Republican.
NY Times: Though Obama can expect no support from Republicans/NRA, I hope there are a lot of people present at this televised town-hall-style meeting who do support him and show the rest of the country that this is the only way forward, even if only a little step in the right direction. The time to act is now.
Common Dreams: Yes, 2016 should be the year of political revolution, of taking power back from oligarchs cum theocrats and restoring democracy to the American people. Bernie leads the way.
Cartoon: excelent!
This begs the question: Are you praying for MORE cold weather?
Because to my way of thinking, spending a lot of time in bed is a pretty damn nice way to spend time!
Not when the bed has no sheets.
Congrats to all the Fantasy Players, wish I knew enough to play, too.
You need to complain to management if there is not enough heat in your apartment.
Daily Kos: He deserved to be fired. Sadly, there are many just like him out there.
NY Times: I hope to watch the President's speech. I know, though, that the Republicans will group to stop any order he makes regarding gun control.
Common Dreams: This gives me hope.
Cartoon: True!
Hey, Edie! I had no idea how to play, but with help from all the other players, FF was a lot of fun and kept me on !!s!
Edie if a slot opens up, I'll reserve it for you.
The heat depends on where in the room I am.
When I lived in Chicago going to medical school, there was a city code that required all rental units (single or multiple) to maintain a temperature of at least 55 degrees in the "winter".
I suspect Portland probably has a similar code, but 55 is pretty darn chillish for living conditions.
… BUT Chicago has gotten much better for at least the past 2 decades:
http://www.tenant.net/Other_Areas/Illinois/mto/english3.html
Thanks all. Hugs!
Kudos to MMC and all the FF winners!
I can relate on cold–I've learned that layering of clothes makes a real difference.
I've begun envisioning no GOP candidates on CA's presidential ballot with CA's open primary creating top two vote getters moving on to Nov. election with Bernie and Clinton's numbers exceeding every GOP candidate.