Sorry I wasn't here yesterday to post an Open Thread but my arthritis flared up, swelling my fingers and making it too painful to type or use the mouse, although I managed to respond to TC's articles. I suspect the heavy rains were the catalyst. It wasn't until late this afternoon that things started to normalise. Well I know I am in the dog house, so to speak, with my furbabes as Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday they ignored me, completely! I suspect it may be the reduced rations. It is amazing though — the power of food — as they started coming to me a bit more. I think I am forgiven now.
The Intercept — New FEC filings show that all of the $417,250 in monetary donations to a Super PAC called “Black Americans for a Better Future” comes from conservative white businessmen — including $400,000, or 96 percent of the total, from white billionaire hedge fund manager Robert Mercer.
Call the PAC something that it is not in hopes that it will convince some African American voters to get behind Ted Cruz . . . Black Americans for a Better Future, thy name is deception.
Huffington Post — California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) is asking voters to overturn a strict sentencing law he signed nearly 40 years ago because of its "unintended consequences," including a surge in the prison population.
Brown, in a call with reporters Wednesday, announced a ballot initiative called the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016, which he said would likely reduce prison time for many of the 127,000 nonviolent offenders locked in the state's overcrowded correctional facilities.
Personally, I think this is a great move. Couple it with Obama's recent call to ban solitary confinement for juveniles and as punishment for low-level infractions in federal facilities, and you have the first steps of prison reform.
Global News — Months after being released from an Egyptian jail, Mohamed Fahmy is adjusting to the life of an academic at the University of British Columbia, talking to students about his experiences as a journalist.
“It feels very inspiring that I’m actually lecturing students and getting feedback about various topics,” he said.
He has no shortage of things to talk about. Fahmy spent more than 400 days in prison on terrorism charges after an Egyptian court case that was the subject of broad international criticism.
From CBC News
Click through for the interview and short videos to see what Fahmy is trying to do. I really don't know how much Americans know about the Mohamed Fahmy case in Egypt. Fahmy, Cairo bureau chief for Al Jazeera English and an award winning journalist, was arrested 29/12/2013 and accused of conspiring with a terrorist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, and fabricating news to portray Egypt in a state of civil war. His journey has been long, unnecessarily so, courtesy of ex-PM Stephen Harper who would not speak to the Egyptian president on behalf of Fahmy. I support Fahmy.
My Universe — h/t Ted W and Carol D, Care2
9 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 28/01/2016”
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The Intercept: They could actually take this money and use it for the betterment and care of the folks in Flint, rather than using this for their own personal gain. ''The Super PAC’s remaining spending has been mostly for travel, hotels, and food, including about $5,000 at New York’s famous Morton’s Steakhouse on Fifth Avenue.''
HP: A move in the right direction, imho.
Global News: Anyone released from prison is good news! I wish Mr. Fahmy and his family well.
My Universe: I don't know about this, lol, as the temps here today are going to be in the 70's…
What an adorable picture of the cat being pixelated…I think she/he wants out though.
Don't apologize for your absence, your health is important to me, take care of yourself first.!! I am having a busy week here too, and I can say I do love volunteering in the schools. Medical appts next week, ugh!
Enjoy your day, take care, and Thanks, Lynn.
I thought the squirrel was cute, but as far as freezing his nuts, that only works in certain areas. I spoke to my brother in Toronto this morning. They have had little snow. They were totally untouched by the east coast storms. That's climate change for you!
Sorry to hear about your arthritis flare-up – but glad to hear it's getting better.
That pixilated cat picture made me chortle!
Arthritis . . . one of the perks of getting older?
Intercept – Wow – "Consider the source" on steroids. I just thank the Lord (and progressives) that they are even required to make filings at all. They're trying their best to eliminate that annoying requirement.
HuffPo – Nothing gives me more respect for a politician – or just a person – than the ability to evaluate evidence and, if the evidence so indicates, say "I was wrong." Even if that is glossed over a little with the phrase "unintended consequences," it's still perceptible in this action. This is the Jerry Brown I supported in 1992. We haven't seen as muchof him lately as we did then; it's nice to see him now.
Global – Glad this is over – and over with him still alive.
Universe – tee hee.
Fahmy didn't get help from Herr Harper! How infuriating! But he had Amal Clooney as his lawyer which helped. And now he has a permanent injury to his arm.
I hope your hands continue to improve. Mine flared up yesterday, too, and are still very painful.
Amen! It's all about fooling Black people into thinking Republicann have Black community support.
I agree, Manditory minimums should be stopoped for adult prisoners too.
Here Republicans would threaten to nuke Egypt and the guy wouls still bet there. I'm glad he's free.
Watching Clown Car Destruction Derby VII pixelated me!
No doubt! It is amazing you didn't barf all over the pixelation equipment!
Sorry, Lynn, I'm in catch-up mode again and despite a great post I can't make the time to comment on it all. Just letting you know your furbabes are as predictable where food is concerned as mine are and snow-topped squirrel and pixelated cat are adorable.