Last week was a "week from hell" and by the end of Friday, I was exhaustipated! Something had to give and it was my Open Threads. Saturday I had a doctor's appointment which turned out well — my blood sugar A1c test dropped. So although tired, at least I was happy. This coming week promises to be a "week from hell" again. And of course, it is tax filing time again . . . deadline 02/05/2016 in Canada. On the other hand, the weather has been glorious the past 4 days. I hope your spring is shaping up the way you like it.
Short Takes
Mother Jones — Add Bruce Springsteen to the growing list of people who are not fans of North Carolina's new anti-LGBT law. On Friday, just two days before a scheduled show in Greensboro, North Carolina, the Boss announced that he was canceling his appearance in a gesture of protest against the legislation.
"Some things are more important than a rock show and [the] fight against prejudice and bigotry—which is happening as I write—is one of them," the rock star wrote in a short statement on his website. "[Canceling the show] is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."
There have been many companies and individuals speaking out about North Carolina's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, HB-2. Nathan Deal of Georgia vetoed legislation as a result of pressure brought to bear. I guess McCrory didn't get the memo!
Raw Story — The wait, at this and thousands of other pantries across the country, is about to get longer. New restrictions in the federally funded food stamp program have begun affecting hundreds of thousands of needy families throughout America, as revived rules designed to incentivize people looking for work result in the loss of benefits for 500,000 to 1 million people in 21 states. The Department of Agriculture program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, implemented a rule Jan. 1 that reinstates a three-month time limit for those receiving benefits who don’t have children or a disability and haven’t found a minimum 20-hour-a-week job, a requirement that was previously suspended thanks to recession-induced unemployment levels.
Perhaps the Republican dominated Congress should look to stop the jobs drain to overseas locations by large corporations. That would mean more people working and hopefully fewer needing assistance. But I doubt that will happen.
Think Progress — Bonnie Raindrop has been beekeeping for just nine years, but that’s been more than enough time to see the precipitous decline in bee populations that has been plaguing Maryland. Last year, according to the USDA, Maryland beekeepers lost 61 percent of their honeybee populations, which is two times higher than the national average. Over the last five or so years, Raindrop herself has witnessed crushing losses in her own hives, fluctuating between 50 and 100 percent.
Which is why Raindrop is so happy that the Maryland legislature has started to take notice. Thursday night, the Maryland House and Senate agreed upon and jointly passed a final version of the Maryland Pollinator Protection Act, which would eliminate consumer use of neonicotinoids, a widely-used class of pesticides that has been shown to negatively impact honeybees. If the bill — which now goes to the desk of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) — is enacted into law, it would make Maryland the first state in the country to codify such protection for honeybees at a statewide level.
Good news for bees and other pollinators. The world's total food production hangs in the balance.
My Universe — It is time to start relaxing for the weekend!
This was planned for last Friday, but hey, for cats, everyday is the weekend!
4 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 10/04/2016”
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MJ: Glad to see Bruce cancelling his show. I hope others speak out as well. !!
RS: This is so sad for those families that need this assistance. "What it’s really going to do is push hundreds of thousands, maybe millions looking for work into deeper hardship, and for no good reason.” Yes, need to step up to HELP not HINDER these folks in need.
TP: Around 3 years ago, I noticed a decline here in my garden(s). I hope that the bees come back, I'd like to get a hive from a local to see if that helps.
My Universe: What an adorable video. I love this. Passing it on.
Glad your blood sugar is good. Hope that your week goes by fast. I picked up a nasty head cold, I'm back to napping. Have a good day, and Thanks, Lynn.
Have friends in St. Paul who have a cabin "Up North" who used to have an apiary. But they lost all their bees – TWICE to Colony Collapse Disorder, and it got too expensive to keep replacing them.
Fortunately CCD appears to be on the decline. We all certainly hope so because bees are critical to so many things!
Anyone have any experience w/ cat hammocks? That YouTube video was so cute I’m actually considering getting one. (But as someone noted in the YouTube Comments, they didn’t tie the limiting straps that were available on the bottom. Would’ve made it much easier for the cat, but not nearly as entertaining for us!)
MoJo – Oh, McCrory got the memo, he just couldn't read it because his head was somewhere the sun doesn't shine. Even had he been able to read it, however, he would likely have ignored it, because it wasn't from the Koch Brothers.
Raw Story – There are a lot of things Congress should do and won't. Putting and end to jobs drain is just one. Raising the minimum wage so that people who do have jobs can get off of assistance without starving is another. Regardless what they say (not that what they say is very positive either), thiscongress, and way too many people in the United States, prioritize punishment over assistance, over life, and even over saving money and balancing the budget.
Think Progress – Kudos to Maryland. I know it will help. I am beginning to fear that, although neonics are a big factor, there are other factors which yet need to be identifird and addressed. And, Squatch, you are absolutely right, the food supply of the entire world hangs on pollinators.
Universe – Timo is a good example not to give up.
You go, Bruce!
The Republican congress needs to be sent out to pasture! Elect Dems, then we might get serious governance!
Maryland can set the bar for the rest of the counrty!
Lynn, you might be wise to do some refreshing meditation, or napping.