The week is done. I renewed my annual car insurance so I am good to drive. I paid my annual municipal utilities so I'll have water to drink and garbage/recycling pickup for another year. Physio is done til I start again on Monday, and English is done. It is absolutely pouring rain and is expected to do so all weekend. It is a shame that the weather is so wet as two of Lucia's kids, Jonathan and Loliyo, are at camp all weekend. This afternoon, I will go to see my mother and hopefully she'll be rid of her chest infection. Have a great weekend everyone!
Short Takes
The Nation — But in addition to the gridlock and rancor in Washington, the American political system has gotten much worse since Obama was elected, through no fault of his own.
The Supreme Court allowed unlimited secret campaign contributions and gutted the Voting Rights Act. Twenty-one states passed new voting restrictions targeting the core of Obama’s political coalition. Gerrymandering reached new lows following the 2010 election.
… Obama offered three ideas for how to repair America’s broken political system.
Is the tone of today's speech that much different than Obama's tone when he first became POTUS? As I recall, he was one who tried to build bridges, not erect walls. And I hear that reflected in today's speech.
An Homage to Faux Noise
H/T to Carol B and Ted W, Care2 for the picture
Alternet — Mexico’s unique and treasured native corn varieties could be under threat as Monsanto, the world’s largest seed producer, vies to plant genetically modified (GMO) corn in the country. …
However, community advocates and chefs warn that Mexico’s 59 indigenous corn varieties could be under threat by GMOs. As you can see in this video from the Financial Times, the country’s most noted chefs are speaking out against a possible takeover. Roughly 80 other Mexican chefs have also joined the fight against GMO corn.
Of course, two things that Monsanto does not say are 1) the GMO corn will contaminate the ancient varieties; and 2) farmers will be forced to buy corn seed from Monsanto which will further endanger the survival of these ancient varieties.
Politico Magazine — Senator Ted Cruz invoked President John F. Kennedy's name and legacy in a campaign appearance the other day, arguing that if he were alive today, Kennedy would be a Republican. Specifically, he said Kennedy “would be tarred and feathered by the modern Democratic Party.”
As Kennedy’s grandson, and as a student of his life, legacy and administration, I find this notion—and the suggestion that Ted Cruz is somehow taking up his mantle—absurd. Were my grandfather alive today, he’d be excited about how far we have come as a nation since 1963, he would feel a sense of urgency about the challenges that lie ahead and he most certainly would not be a Republican.
Click through for the rest of Jack Kennedy Schlossberg's piece. I find the idea that Cruz would even insinuate a comparison of himself to JFK Jr absolutely disgusting.
Mother Jones — Last month, solar power suffered a major blow in Nevada. Under pressure from the state's largest electric utility, NV Energy, state regulators agreed to drastically roll back a key financial incentive for rooftop solar installations. The move, which applied both to new solar users and to homes already equipped with panels, could leave existing customers on the hook for thousands of dollars in higher electricity costs. It also obliterated the economic case for prospective solar buyers. And it prompted a mass exodus of solar contractors in the state with the most solar jobsper capita. SolarCity, the country's largest solar installer, fired 550 workers; two of its main competitors, Vivant and Sunrun, plan to shut down their Nevada operations.
Getting support for solar power should be a pimary focus, but Republicans are so beholden to the fossil fuel industry that I doubt Republican candidates will even mention it.
My Universe —
7 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 20/02/2016”
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The Nation: It's been an uphill battle for Obama ever since he became POTUS, and feel his frustration(s). The three simple ways to fix this, will be nayed, and thrown out by the Repugs. as usual; -(
George Carlin was so spot on with a lot of issues. Miss him.
AlterNet: It's depressing to see this going on. Their traditions and foods are being compromised by Monsanto. Is there a petition to sign against this happening?
Politico Magazine: Great article. Obviously, Cruz should try that first, the tar and feathering thing. See if it works. ugh!
Robert Reich did a excellent video on ''5 Reasons Ted Cruz Is Even More Dangerous Than Donald Trump''.
Here's the link:
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/5-reasons-ted-cruz-even-more-dangerous-donald-trump
My Universe: My cat loves to chase after the laser. Must be the quick movements that attract cats to this.
We're supposed to get some rain here either today or tomorrow. We sure could use some. Camping is not good when it's wet and rainy…to me, though some kids enjoy camping any time. Hope your visit goes good with your mother. Relax, and enjoy your weekend too!! Thanks, Lynn.
Sounds like you're all ready for the weekend, Lynn. You certainly deserve to have a good one. Enjoy visiting your mother.
The Nation: Sorry, I haven't got the time to watch the whole speech, but the GOP is even more hell bent on blocking anything he proposes than ever – they won't even listen to and discuss his budget or a nomination for SCOTUS – so there's absolutely no chance they will have heard this. It must have been the usual for them, the three proposals will have gone in one ear and straight out the other without any processing in between. That is, if they haven't put their fingers in their ears as the disrespectful babies they are. It's predictable as this is the only way they can keep on putting the blame of all their BS of the past seven years on Obama without a waver in their voice, fully convinced they are right.
An Homage to Faux Noise: The Dutch call this a truth like a cow.
Alternet: Although I personally think that the dangers of GMO lie more in health, environmental and economical issues, but any additional opposition to Monsanto, this time the loss of tradition and culture, is very welcome. Keep GMO banned, Mexico and you'll do yourself a big favor in many, many ways.
Politico Magazine: Ted Cruz assertion that JFK would be a Republican now is so absurd it would be laughable if he didn't try to take on some of JFK's status in the process, which is absolutely revolting. It could have done with a barf bag alert (do you know there are emoticons for that now?). I don't believe Ted's despicable utterance for a second, and I'm not very dynasty minded, but having it pulled to pieces by his grandson, Jack Kennedy Schlossberg, may convince a number og Americans of the invalidity of both the statement and of Ted, showing them what kind of man Ted Cruz really is.
MoJo: Nevada has an abundance of sunlight so what better way to get away from fossil fuels than to base a whole solar industry there by subsidizing solar energy. And it worked! And now Nevada's government has taken upon itself to undo all of this, destroy an industry and put people out of a job, and make consumers pay exorbitant bills, all to keep a fossil fuel giant in profit and CO2 emissions high. Criminal, that is all I can say about it.
My Universe: It's seen the light, so now let it have it.
You've been busy! Have a great weekend!
Every time I watch that cat chase the laser spot I just have to laugh out loud!
Still quite late, still sorry. Glad it doesn't all depend on me.
AlterNet – Mopre terrorism. I am somewhat heartened by the chefs who are speaking up, I just wish it were the government saying not only no but infierno, no.
Politico – but Cruz thinks he is God … so a comparison to Kennedy is practically a comedown.
MoJo – How evil and how Republican.
Universe – Oh, that's the "Red Dot." I thought for a minute it was a filtertip cigarette. That's a relief.
The Nation: I read the whole speech, and as usual, he gave a powerful talk. I agreed with all that he said, especially in regard to gerrymandering and dark money.
Carlin was so right.
Alternet: MOnsanto is as bad as the Koch Brothers. Our government aids and abets them, too, by not letting the FDA control what they are inflicting on us. My family has always grown food, seed was saved from year to year so you knew the veggie would be what you wanted. It is illegal to save seed from a GMO crop.
Politico: Talk about hubrous! Cruz couldn't be further from JFK! I am old enough to remember Camelot and to wonder how different our country would be if he had not been assassinated. He would be appalled at being compared to someone like Cruz.
Mother Jones:: very short sighted of the Nevada legislators. Fossil fuels cannot last forever.
My Universe: I so wish mine would get this excited over the red dot. I use it to give them some exercize, however, their interest wanes after about two minutes.
George Carlin Rocks! Anyone who doubts this, and those who do not, needs to read "Idiot America, How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free," by Charles P. Pierce.
I came to this Open thread, just as Trump was on the news, and realize that now that he has some serious traction, beat Cruz in Evangelical land, he will have soooo many more platforms to spew his crap! Of course, I would not want Cruz to be in that position! He'd already betalking about End Times!
As it is, Cruz talking about JFK, disgusting is Cruz' middle name. Barry Goldwater, in his turn, would be seen as a liberal compared to the asinine positions the Tea Bag GOP has embraced. Simply put, this is not the 1960's, and the culture has changed.
Monsanto is little but a juggernaught of a monster, and will lie more than Cruz and Trump, combined!