One year ago today, I passed out in my doorway, and the next thing I knew I was in the hospital, having lost a leg, having almost died, and having spent almost a month in a coma. Fortunately, I have no plans to make that an annual event, but it does give me pause to reflect on how grateful I am to be alive, because there is more for me to accomplish.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:04 (average 4:46). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From NY Times: Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate for president, may be on track to win more votes than any third-party candidate in 20 years, if current polling holds up.
Who are his supporters?
Mr. Johnson, a former Republican governor of New Mexico, is relying heavily on the backing of young people and independent voters disillusioned with the two major parties’ nominees.
Some Berners consider Johnson a Bernie-lite, but don’t believe it! Johnson supports pseudo-Christian theocratic legislation, dog whistle restrictions on voting rights, open-carry anywhere, spending public funds for private school vouchers, and privatizing social security. He opposes EPA regulation, any restriction of gun ownership, a public option or single payer health plan, prioritizing green energy, infrastructure spending, and higher taxes on the super-rich. In summary, he’s just a pro-pot Republican.
From Crooks and Liars: Silly Chris Wallace. He seems to be under the impression that someone might mistake him for an actual journalist. As we already discussed here, Wallace has been chosen to be one of the moderators for the upcoming presidential debates. He checked in this Sunday on his buddy Howard Kurtz’s show, Media Buzz and was asked what he thought his role would be as moderator.
Faux Barf Bag Alert!!
You can be sure that that you will see massive favoritism for Rump Dump, who will be allowed any lie, in the last debate.
From Robert Reich: THE REALITY OF FREE TRADE DEALS
Free trade is figuring prominently in the upcoming presidential election. Donald Trump is against it. Hillary Clinton has expressed qualms.
As always, the Reich on the Left is right, except his statement that Trump is against it. That’s a lie to cover-up the way he exports American jobs for his own profit every day!
Cartoon:
20 Responses to “Open Thread – 9/5/2016”
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5:01 What a little beauty! Surely too pretty to eat? Markings that bright suggest it is poisonous, or at least not tasty.
I remember last year vividly too. I'm so glad you don't plan to make it an annual event. In fact, never again would be too soon. We need you.
NY Times – Libertarians, even more than Republicans, want smaller or no government for the same reason that criminals want fewer or no police. Johnson doesn't even sound like a real Libertarian, if he wants all that government. Just a phony all around.
C&L – Except that I won't see it, because I won't be watching. My poor stomach can only take so much.
Reich – Yeah, he should have said "Trump SAYS he's against it." Since everything Drumpf says is a lie, thet would have told us what we need to know.
Cartoon – Now that's a parade worth having!
Breaking news fromWaPo – Phyllis Sclhafly has passed on.
What Nameless said about Scalia.
When I heard the news about Scalia, and clapped my hands in one enthusiastic slap, and said somehting like "WOW!," or "OKAY," my wife said that was an awful response. This one is less of an outburst, but "Isn't that speeecial?!" Good riddance!
Actually it was my Mom who mandated that I ONLY and ALWAYS "Speak good of the dead."
(See what a good son I am?}
You are. That's why i cited you.
The Good Son.
Sounds like a movie title . . . and it is. But the plot is not applicable.
My mama taught me to veber speak ill of the dead. I'm glad she's not ill.
Seriously, condolences for those that loved her. I am not on that list.
C&L: Oh, ick. I can't/don't/won't watch faux news, I'd love to see Rachel as moderator though. Now..she'd be excellent!!
Mr. Reich: A good video, I'm passing on too.
Cartoon: "The day was celebrated with a picnic, concert and speeches. Ten thousand workers marched in a parade from City Hall to Union Square." *.americaslibrary.gov/
Growing up in the NE, our school opened up the day after Labor Day. Back then, we would have a block party, with neighbors bringing food, and enjoying a picnic like atmosphere. I remember this day with fondness, but also with trepadation for the unknown first day back to school.
Aww….I certainly appreciate you, and enjoy reading your daily posts. I certainly hope and pray that you never have an episode like you had a year ago. It sure does give me pause, in feeling thankful and having constant caring companions here. For you, and for that….I'm grateful. Enjoy your evening, take good care, and Thanks, Tom.
Your experience last year is a reminder to all of us just how fragile, yet tough and tenacious our life force really is.
NYT: Less regulation, more inequality, more screwing with the have nots, more of do whatever you please, to whomever you please.
C and L: WTF?????? I was thinking of missing the debates, altogether, because I really need a barf bag when seeing The Empty Man speak, and do not expect a "debate" anyhow. I thought it might be fun to see Hillary pillory the putz, but, in this 3rd debate? Chris will sit there being "neutral" about the most egregious BS from Rumpy. It will beinteresting to see Hillary's BS response tactic, however. Not that Empty Man will save the BS for the last debate, by any means.
Reich rules!
Labor Day, another day of flags and jingoism, brought to you by the country that has been ruled by the GOPigs in congress, who want, dearly, to do away with all that labor has brought to The People!
"Your experience last year is a reminder to all of us just how fragile, yet tough and tenacious our life force really is." Jerry can say that again!
It is hugely fragile, and you are hugely remarkable…and don't you fucking do that again!!
WOW!!! It has been a while year, already? It was a hard time for ya, TC. But you are strong and keep on going, just like the Energizer Bunny! I hope you have a better year coming up!
People that think that Johnson is gonna be the One, need to think about the election of 2000. And how CRAZY it was because if the way that Florida went. The SCOTUS is the one that put Georgie Pordgie in the office back then and look at what we ended up with!!! EIGHT YEARS of rethuglicans ruling and ended up in the worst recession since the 1930's!!!
Glad you are around for the One year anniversary!!!
We are so glad you don't plan to make this an annual event. Thankfully, Nameless, JD, and Judi were able to find you so we could keep track. I have mentioned two of my relatives who had horrible experiences on here, and thankfully, both are recuperating. Another hiker fell off the same waterfall this week as my cousin. He has head and leg injuries. She has gone to the hospital to be with his family. She lost her leg, but was only in the hospital 5 weeks and is still as optimistic as she was before the fall, quite amazing for a 22 year old girl.
NY Times: I barely know anything about JOhnson, but from this article, I do know I would not vote for him.
Crooks and Liars: Chris Wallace should never have been allowed to be a moderator at the debate. He will give Trump all the time he needs and cut Clinton off at every chance he gets. You are right, he is silly to think anyone would consider him a serious journalist, he is a Fox News tool.
Robert Reich: As always, I agree with him. We had five small factories in this area, not coal related, when Nafta was passed. All five closed up shop and moved to Mexico. TRA was a joke. They did get an extension on their unemployment, and training, but there were no jobs to go to after they received their training. The TPP is NAFTA on speed and will destroy the rest of the middle class. The only ones who will benefit are people like Trump, who own factories that are producing their goods in other countries that allow them to pay a pittance with no benefits. Trump would never be against free trade because he derives so much benefit ffrom it.
Cartoon: I imagine that was a great day.
Puzzle — 3:04 It's just as well as this little fishie is on the endangered species list which means if you eat it, you'll be arrested.
NY Times — Once a Republican, always a Republican, no what name it goes by.
Crooks and Liars — Chris Wallace and Faux Noise bought and paid for by Drumpf and the Republicans. Truth squad? Wallace wouldn't know truth and impartiality from a kybo!
Robert Reich — I have heard a number of times that most of the Drumpf clothing line is manufactured in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Mexico and Pakistan yet he says he is not in favour of free trade? What a freaking hypocrite! He profits from free trade! Reich is correct!
Cartoon — I participated in a number of Labour Day parades in my youth . . . almost fell off a float doing gymnastics tricks!
Please don't make this anniversary an annual event . . . I sure am glad that you are well on the road to total wellness!
{{{Burp!!}}} Fishie? What fishie?
Hey! You ate my fishie too since we had the same time! I'll have to report you for eating an endangered species!!!
After yout foot had flattened it, it was too squished to be endangered.
TC, we are SO glad you decided to stick around… we need you, appreciate you, love you!
Not gonna miss Phyllis…love your comment, SoINeedaName….
How time flies. A year already since you 'went missing' and gave everyone, including yourself such a scare. A good time to reminisce about life and priorities, especially because so much has happened since. I'm so glad you came out with your will to fight for a good cause in tact and determined to accomplish more. We can't have Republicans in any shape or form getting the better of you, can we! Next year we'll celebrate with you that it was a completely uneventful year for you and that you're especially busy with researching Republicans as there's so little to write on after their obliteration in November 2016 😀
NYT: Gary Johnson sounds like a regular Republican, just a little more glib. He comes across better than most because he's not barking mad. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, I suppose.
C&L: What was the committee thinking, putting Faux News Chris Wallace up for moderator AND putting him up for the final debate so close to the elections? Of course Wallace is prejudiced (he started the interview with bashing the committee that gave him his spot for being too Blue) and will do everything to make Drumpf look good. The committee should have known that the short-term memory of many voters is close to zero and the last thing they hear will be the the stuff they'll take to the voting booth. This presidential election is becoming more of a farce each day.
RR: Funny thing that, all over the globe NO ONE seems to want these free trade deals like TPP or TTIP except for the big companies, the 1% and the sock-puppet governments with the hands of the 1% up their a$$es. Drumpf saying he's against them is just another of his lies.
Hugs, and thank you all so much for your kind sentiments.