This morning I cleaned my apartment. I dusted, swept, mopped, and disinfected. I finished right before Lu came to de-stink me, so I’m a pleasant-smelling puddy tat, once again. Then I did m,y daily research, took a brief (< 1 hr.) nap, and made a pastrami on rye with horseradish for lunch. It’s now 62°, with 65° forecast, so I have the windows and door open to air out the place.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:26 (average 4:59). (Somebody beat me please! I don’t want to eat something smarter than a Republican!!) To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: Contradicting their professed interest in creating jobs, Senate Republicans resolutely refused to put even one American to work this week.
The Republicans, in fact, went to extreme lengths to prevent a single job from being filled, thus risking being called job-killers during an election year.
“You have a job opening and a highly qualified applicant, but you’re blocking the applicant from taking the job?” Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez said. “That doesn’t sound like you’re very interested in creating jobs.”
While voters across the country questioned why Republicans would refuse to let even one American find employment, Washington insiders speculated that G.O.P. senators did not want to do anything to contribute to the improving jobs picture while Barack Obama is still President.
Andy, perhaps the Republicans might agree to create that job, if Merrick Garland agrees to work for a migrant farm worker’s pay, less than minimum wage.
From Daily Kos: The Supreme Court may be about to strike down Republican-drawn maps that use a right-wing gerrymandering tactic known as "bleaching" where Republicans purposely pack minority voters into as few districts as possible in order to eliminate their voices in the rest of the state.
A ruling like that would strike a crushing blow against racially discriminatory gerrymandering across the country.
Join the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and Daily Kos in demanding an end to right-wing racial gerrymandering.
Paid for by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC).
Click through to sign, please. I did.
From Raw Story: The first month of taxable commercial sales of recreational marijuana in Oregon generated nearly $3.5 million in tax revenues, far exceeding projections, the state Department of Revenue has reported.
Oregon’s marijuana tax receipts from January also surpassed the first-month tallies from recreational cannabis sales in Colorado and Washington state, the first two states to legalize general commercial distribution of pot for adults.
Colorado collected $2.9 million in taxes when recreational sales launched there in January 2014, a sum that included revenue from both recreational and medical cannabis purchases.
Washington’s recreational industry, which started slow with just 18 stores licensed to sell pot, yielded $1 million in tax revenue when it debuted in August 2014.
By comparison, Oregon’s 300 licensed cannabis retailers sold $13.9 million worth of marijuana in January, generating $3.48 million in taxes, according to a revenue report issued on Thursday.
Personally, I gave it up 30 years ago, but when it comes to high society, Oregon leads the way. 
Cartoon:
21 Responses to “Open Thread–3/19/2016”
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4:51 I wish I had balancing skills like that. And some of them are smarter even than Democrats. Especially some Democrats. But I can't beat you. If no one else does, maybe you could eat the baskerball.
New Yorker – I don't think they would allow him to take the job even if HE paid THEM. He's too strong on clean air.
DKos – Nice to see the establishment DLCC is on board with this. Signed of course.
Raw Story – I keep telling people not everything works the same way for eeryone, and we should put more trust in users evidence as to how something works for them. Giving it up was right for you, and I sispect starting it would not be right for me, but neither of those is any reason to take away from people for whom it works. I know one recovering alcoholic who says he is also addicted to cheese. Should we outlaw sheese, ya think?
Cartoon – Amen!
LOL!! Good idea!
I fully favor legalization of marijuanna, and treating use, not sale, ofother drugs as a public health problem, nit a criminal problem.
NYer: Andy is spot on as usual…LOL
DK: Signed, of course!
RS: I'd love to see that come to Texas!! Of course, it won't happen here, not with the Repugs driving the Clown Car. WTG, Oregon!!! 😉
Cartoon: Yep! Ain't that the truth?
Wow, you sure were busy, and got your shower too. Glad to know that there is another kindred soul who uses horseradish as a condiment. I love the stuff. It's 60 here, and it's cold and windy. Enjoy your evening, take care, and Thanks, Tom.
It goes great with beef. and in cocktail sauce with raw clams and oysters.
AB is correct as usual…and the Ryan budget is likely to reduce job counts, too.
Already signed…all the historically problem states seem to have had federal courts strike down their gerrymandered efforts so time for fixing the problem created by the last SCOTUS ruling.
Sounds like OR's budget is going to be in better shape for years to come.
We didn't intend them to move to our doctors' offices when the courts kicked them out of our bedrooms.
Amen!!
2:57 Does that mean that I am smarter than a Republican too?
Much smarter. Smarter has to be an understatement for you, because dirt is smarter than a Republican.
I already knew I was older than dirt! Everybody kept telling me that when I turned 50! So now I am smarter than dirt too! Ee-haw!
Puzzle — 2:57 Does that mean that I am smarter than a Republican too?
The New Yorker — Andy's doing straight reporting again!
Daily Kos — Absolutely signed!
Raw Story — LMAO!!! High society indeed!
Cartoon — Amen!
You had a busy morning! Glad you smell better. Today was my day to spend with Mother, so no work done at home. Her dementia is getting worse so my sister and I alternate days, that way she sees one of us every day.
The New Yorker: Love Andy! The Repubs are only interested in creating minimum wage jobs! That saves money for their corporate masters.
Daily Kos: I signed the petition, I hope it is successful.
Raw Story: Believe it or not, I, a product of the sixties never tried Marijuana. Those that I know who have are perfectly sensible people who enjoy it. I hope other states follow suit and decriminalize it. The taxes the collect alone should be enough incentive.
Cartoon: It hasn't stopped them yet. They seem completely fascinated with the subject.
Your mother is more fortunate than she knows.
Thanks!
TY TC.
Excellent image there…but if the Repugs moved their attention from things that are not their business, they'd have to deal with real issues.
Not a pot smoker but it seems no worse than drinking or eating a lot of sugar or gambling…all okay if in moderation.
Being clean is a real upper, isn't it? Congrats on all your hard work.
I didn't know felines felt the urge to spring clean too, TomCat. Can you come over to show the felines who own me how to clean? Their own hair and muddy paw prints all over the floor would be a good start. You must feel really comfortable now you've done the cleaning your apartment and your own exterior, so enjoy the rest of your weekend.
TNY: It always amazes me how Andy can get to the core of Republican thinking in just a few lines that are funny on top of being true. " “Under President Obama, the economy has added over nine million jobs,” one insider said. “The last thing the Republicans want to do is give him credit for one more.” " How's that for hitting the nail right on the head?
DK: I'm not sure if SCOTUS in it's current situation will strike down Gerrymandering, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed they do get a 5-3 vote to strike it down. If they don't and it'll turn out 4-4 it goes back to the decision of the last court, which may be good for that particular district or state, but may not have the same consequences for other states. In any case, they all need to make haste as this Gerrymandering might cost Democrats the presidential election and all of us might get stuck with Drumpf or Cruz. Darn, the idea alone just spoiled my Sunday.
RS: You know, with these tax revenue figures, some Republicans might suddenly see the light and want marijuana legalized in their state too. It's all about money with Republicans, and the only thing that will make them change their mind so…It also may mean their own salvation if Drumpf or Cruz get elected and revolts are about to break out in the divided country. If they keep everyone doped up to the gills with pot they can be quite sure that people won't get aggressive and riot. You better watch your water then. 😉
Cartoon: Since when do misogynists need an invitation?
Your cats are no their own. After you move perm,anently to Oz, they'll have to lern to do it upside down.
Good point on the cartoon!!
Thanks all!! Hugs!!
Andy gets it.
DK: Signed, probably previously, as well.
Legalizing, and taxing MJ makes so much sense, it can't be visible to those on the right, and making it available for medicinal use is just too humane!
Cartoon: Is it mysogynists, or mysogynistic theocrats running their usual agenda?