It is late, very late, and I am just finishing off the Open Thread for today. And yes, my computer is still acting up, although either I am becoming accustomed to its antics, or it isn't happening as much. It has been a very busy day with 2.5 hours of physio and an extended teaching session helping my student ready herself for an English test on Friday. It has rained a bit late this afternoon but we are scheduled for thunder storms tonight and Thursday. Last week we were told that our local reservoirs were at 91% of capacity and that the snow pack had not made it down from the mountains yet. We are looking good for water this year but we still have water restrictions in place. Summer is here and it is a long time until the cooler temperatures of autumn.
Jig Zone Puzzle
Today’s took me 3:50 (average 5:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes
The New Yorker — In what some are calling a sign of its desperation to raise cash, the Presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump is auctioning off New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on the popular e-commerce site eBay, campaign officials have confirmed.
Christie, who is described on the site as being in lightly used but good condition, is believed to be the first sitting governor ever to be auctioned on the Internet.
According to the description of Christie on eBay, the governor can perform a full range of escort duties and has “extensive experience in chauffeuring, door-opening, umbrella-holding, reflexive clapping, and soothing end-of-the-day foot massages.”
Speaking at Trump Tower, in Manhattan, the presumptive Republican nominee said that he was still considering financing his general-election campaign himself, but he added, “First I wanted to see what I could get for Chris.”
I think Drumpf is in for a surprise — Christie is damaged goods and not likely to bring in much even from the staunchest Republicans!
Daily Kos — Georgia Rep. Rep. John Lewis, the heart, the soul of congressional Democrats, is leading his colleagues in a sit-in for a vote on gun safety legislation. You won't see it televised, because the Republicans controlling the House also control the cameras. C-SPAN, however, is replaying the speeches of Democrats leading up to the action.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, who led the talking filibuster to force the votes in the Senate earlier this week is on the House floor in solidarity.
This courtesy of Raw Story
As I travelled about today, I kept hearing news of the Democratic sit-in in the House of Representatives over bringing gun control bills up for a vote. The Republicans, who control the House, attempted to bring order but ended up shutting off the cameras and calling a recess.(Raw Story) According to a story in Politico, when Paul Ryan slammed his gavel, Democrats started chanting. Members of the public in the gallery joined Democrats in the chanting. According to some sources, 80% of Americans favour some common sense gun control measures but Republicans continue to obstruct. The people's House?
CBC — Contagious cancers are a scary idea to begin with, but scientists have made some startling new discoveries about them – they are likely more common in nature than originally thought, and some can even spread between species.
A new study has found a contagious, leukemia-like disease appears to be widespread among shellfish with hinged shells, called bivalves, such as clams, mussels and cockles. And, for the first time, researchers have found evidence of the cancer spreading from one species to another.
Mussels living off the coast of British Columbia, along with cockles and golden carpet shell clams in Spain, are all prone to the contagious cancer, similar to one that has devastated soft-shell clam farming operations in P.E.I., the Canadian, U.S. and Spanish scientists reported Wednesday in Nature.
"It may be more widespread in nature than we know," said Jim Sherry, an Environment Canada scientist based in Burlington, Ont., who co-authored the study.
Because cancers originate from the mutated cells of an individual and are genetically similar to that individual, genetic analysis of the cancer cells allows scientists to figure out their origin.
I thought it would be appropriate to have a short break from US politics — one can only take so much Drumpf! This contagious cancer crossing between species is interesting, and presents the possibilities of cancer cell transfer with other species.
My Universe — OK, so I figured I'd have to give some page time to dawgs! From Petcha.com
The dogs take turns scoring the ice and making it hail all over the kitchen floor. The video is called Ice Cube Jackpot, and that’s exactly what it looks like.
14 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 22/06/2016”
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NYer: Ahhh…Christie. Well, he's despised by most, so I don't think he'll get 25 cents, imho. LOL, Andy.
DK: Such a great & Heartfelt speech by Mr. Lewis, to which I agree. The Repugs don't have common sense towards the people. Mr. Lewis: "We have been quiet for too long, and now is the time to get in the way.""The time for silence is over." Kudos!!! Sit-in, I'm proud of their actions, it's time for action on gun control. Too many have died!! and families grieving. The Repugs don't care…!!
CBC: Very interesting, with the research, and yet, sad.
My Universe: Such beautiful Goldens, and so well behaved, with the sharing of ice cubes. Awesome!!
I wish your student well on the English test, some of them can be difficult. I am sure with your tutelage though, she will do just fine. We aren't getting as much rain as you are, but hopefully, we'll be getting some this weekend. Take good care, and Thanks, Lynn for post.
John Lewis' speech was awesome! Amazing how Republicans can castigate Dems for a sit in yet had no qualms shutting down the government once and threatening a second time, or is it a third time. In the dictionary, the definition of Republican is "irresponsible".
Thanks for posting another thread, Lynn. You're such a busy lady, and your tools still aren't helping you much, I hear. So much for retirement, huh. Please pace yourself and keep an eye on your health. Our weather here is still mirroring yours with another thunderstorm just starting. The temperatures aren't that high (24 °C) but the humidity (87% at the moment) is making life very uncomfortable.
TNY: Ouch, that must have stung Republicans a little. Of course it's been well known for a long time how many Republicans can be bought – as do some Democrats by the way – but having them auctioned on the internet…? That's new, but I see a trend in the make. Drumpf has promised so much to so many, that he'll have to sell them on to keep himself afloat, and to be able to make more promise to others. Next up for auction is Ben Carson, but he won't make much nor will Christie for that matter. Christie is far to expensive to maintain compared to the use you could get out of him. If not careful, he'll have your pension fund disappear into thin air.
DK: Turning of the cameras and calling a recess, what a typical Republican reaction. Hints of a totalitarian state under Drumpf. I hope TV shows, like Rachel Maddow's, pick it up anyway and give this brave, but also slightly desperate action a wider audience. I don't think it'll come to anything this time either. Bringing gun-control bills to the vote will just mean they'll be voted down, but it shows those 80% of the American people who want some (minor) form of control that there are people in Congress who want to do the job they're paid for and represent those 80% and not the NRA.
CBC: A reprieve on Drumpf, but a little scary nevertheless. From the devastating cancers in Tasmanian Devils, which appear to spread from one animal to another, I knew some types of cancer were now labeled as contagious. But also jumping the species barrier is new to me, and it's implication seem to be a little Drumpfian. Let's hope scientists soon discover how it spreads and how it crosses over to other species very soon. Let's also hope it has nothing to do with global warming and rising temperatures of ocean water.
My Universe: Aptly named and very funny video. I wasn't aware that dogs like to eat ice cubes that much. In fact I didn't know they liked it at all. LOL
I can assure you that I am trying to pace myself. I availed myself of a Lona nap this afternoon as my knee was killing me last night and again this morning. The nap worked like a charm! Thanks!
It would not surprise me to hear that the contagious cancers are related to climate change.
3:50
I'll share the glory with you
but there will not be any horsie fricassée!
New Yorker: Christie is despised by the people in his home state of New Jersey. He would be lucky if someone bought him with a wooden plugged nickel. lol. Christie is very damaged goods!
KOS: Rachel Maddow says that a "sit-in" has never happened in the past. This "sit-in" is the first time in Congress' history! History is in the making and it is still going on at the time of this posting. Go, Demos, GO! GO! LOL!
Both Rep. John Lewis & Rep. Katherine Clark are co-leaders of the House "sit-in". "Let us vote for the American People".
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/democrats-hold-house-floor-to-demand-gun-vote-710921283747
CBC: Contagious cancers and the possibilities of cancer cell transfer with other species may enable scientists to research and possibly discover, find a cure for cancer in the coming years. A feat.
Universe: Dawgs like chilled water as much as humans do. Smart pups, in the video, and they know where the ice cubes are. lol.
.
According to CBC news, the sit in has ended today at about 1 pm.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-house-democrats-sitin-gun-control-no-bill-no-break-1.3649612
"Still, House Democrats kept talking. And by the time it was over, more than 24 hours later, they re-emerged into the sunshine, descending the steps of the U.S. Capitol, singing, "We shall overcome.""
As I said above, if the sit-in were measured against the Republican shutdown of the government, the Dems have it — a productive and reasonable protest of Republican non action and obstruction of the people.
5:41 I'll try to refrain from comments about lamb chops and lace panties.
It's been quite hot here too.However, here, it may not stay thay way through the whole summer. Whatever it does, I'll try not to whine on line.
New Yorker – I KNEW it was a hostage situation from the get-go! I never thought I would feel sorry for Christie. But not only is he now trapped for life, but he's going to find out in cold, hard cash exactly how little he is worth.
DKos – As I say, I haven't read every email yet, but there are some Democrats streaming footage wwith their phones. Tammy Duckworth concealed her phone in her (prosthetic) legs to stream. I haven't seen it yet, but wow. I believe a number of Senators have shown up in solidarity. That put a smile on my face in spite of the Republican reactions. Even when Democrats act childish, they do it in adult ways, as opposed to Republicans, and I love it.
CBC – Oh, sure, take our mind off terrifying politics with terrifying science.
Universe – Clever boys. I've heard of cool cats – but these dogs appear to stay pretty cool.
"lamb chops and lace panties"?
What is it with dogs and ice cubes? Every person who's had a dog of decent size has told their pooch just LOVES ice cubes.
I don't get it.
If, as I've heard, they cool their bodies by panting, maybe having an ice cube or three at the intake point makes it work faster? Just a guess, probably wrong.
I think they just love ice hockey and the kitchen is their arena!
Thanks everyone!