I just returned from the Optician. The glasses are excellent, but I’m very tired, and research pickings were slim, so this is today’s only article. I’ll be back to full time tomorrow, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:10 (average 5:13). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Religious Agony:
Argh! The Giants played like Broncos, and the Broncos played like Giants.
Short Takes:
From Alternet: A new report from the New Yorker’s Jane Mayer claims that President Donald Trump regularly keeps Vice President Mike Pence in his place by mocking his Christian faith.
According to Mayer’s sources, Trump enjoys ribbing Pence for his right-wing Christian views by portraying him as a Taliban-style fundamentalist who wants to execute all LGBT people.
During a recent conversation on gay rights, for instance, Trump allegedly pointed at Pence and said, “Don’t ask that guy—he wants to hang them all!”
Dang! For the first time in his life, Trump spoke truthfully. RESIST!!
From Common Dreams: California Senate leader Kevin de Leόn formally announced on Sunday his bid to oust Sen. Dianne Feinstein.His campaign page promises "a bold agenda to increase economic opportunity for all Californians with a focus on maintaining California’s global leadership role in fighting climate change and building a clean-energy economy, rebuilding our state’s infrastructure, public education, work-place and healthcare, equity for women, immigrants, and low-wage workers and public safety."
Taking aim at President Donald Trump, he said, "Every day, his administration wages war on our people and our progress. He disregards our voices. Demonizes our diversity. Attacks our civil rights, our clean air, our health access, and our public safety. We can lead the fight against his administration, but only if we jump into the arena together."
Feinstein announced last week that she was running for a sixth term, prompting calls for more progressive candidates to challenge the 84-year-old. As the LA Times reported last week, "Protesters have dogged Feinstein all year, speaking out about her opposition to single-payer healthcare, her call for ‘patience’ with Trump’s presidency, and her bipartisan efforts."
I clearly prefer de Leon to Feinstein. I prefer Feinstein to ANY Republican! RESIST!!
From The New Yorker: The Danger of President Pence
Trump’s critics yearn for his exit. But Mike Pence, the corporate right’s inside man, poses his own risks.
Click Through. I’ve been saying this and more all year. RESIST!!
Cartoon:
Republicans want to destroy last one.
10 Responses to “Open Thread – 10/16/2017”
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At 84, and after five terms, Feinstein needs to go. We need fresh blood like Leon.
Hell, it just might be time for California to try a “Catalonia” number–
Maybe that Trump-Pence “Bromance” goes further than they want us to know …
There go my cookies!
That is enough to rot my socks, and then some! Both despicable!!!
AN: dt takes pride is belittling others. Pence is no choirboy though, he doesn’t like the LGBT community, minorities or PP either.
CD: Sounds like a worthy candidate, Mr. de Leόn. I like his ‘about Kevin’ page too!
NYer: After reading this, WOW! He’s a sneaky snake, and yes, a danger to us all.
Cartoon: Yep, the repugs sure would like to close them down!
Aww….sorry about your loss. Glad that all went well, aren’t progressives great?? Hope that you get some rest, take care, and Thanks, Tom.
4:25 Don’t overdo.
Oh, dear. Sorry about the religious agony. That does hurt.
Very savvy article on what is going on with hurricane victims and infrastructure – as if we didn’t already know, but well said.
AlterNet – Trump does spesk truthfully, occasionally. Just not when he intends to or thinks he is. I do take exception to the equating of “Taliban-style fundamentalist” with “Christian faith.” Nothing Christ-like about it.
ComDre – Of course I prefer de Leόn to Feinstein too. But your second point is also well taken. I worry about California’s jungle primaries (really about all jungle primaries).
TNY – I think we’ve all been saying this here. I know I have.
Alternet: Drumpf not only spoke the truth when pointing to Pence, but it is also part of his habitual deflection. He was just making sure that Pence gets the blame for an opinion he holds himself. He’s having his cake and eating it too; his base is delighted that “hang all LGBT people” is voiced, and they don’t care who did that.
CD: It’s about time Feinstein is replaced, California needs to be represented by a new generation Democrat, by a real progressive. De León seems to have the right ticket.
TNY: In some ways Pence undoubtedly will be even worse as president than Drumpf, worse for America that is. But Pence is not certifiably mad and will not risk WW III to satisfy his own ego (or to stay out of the hands of justice) and he possesses the necessary diplomatic skills to keep on friendly terms with other world leaders and institutes. So “as seen from afar” Pence would be a lesser threat to the world than Drumpf is.
I’m sure it’s nothing to look forward to: after too long a battle to get rid of Drumpf getting stuck with Pence, who’ll undoubtedly do better than Drumpf in the eye of the (Republican) public – but then ANYBODY would do better than Drumpf – but that surely can’t be the reason not to get rid of Drumpf. Resist, take Drumpf out of the presidential equation, and then persist and get rid of Pence the same way. Resist, take Congress back and Pence won’t have a knee to pray on.
Cartoon: Of course with Pence this could soon read …2018 last abortion clinic closed.
Good to hear you glasses work out so well for you, TomCat.
You really do find the cutest little devils!
Puzzle — 3:49 Lots of oatmeal in dem cookies!
Alternet — I have one word that fits both Drumpf and Pence . . . assholes!!!
Common Dreams — At 84, it is time for Feinstein to retire from the front bench and move to the 2nd row where she can mentor a younger generation. Kevin de Leόn seems very progressive, something the Dems need right now to counter the backwards moving Republicans.
This from Wikipedia:
The New Yorker — “The worse the President looks, the more desirable his understudy [Pence] seems.” — Not a chance! While Drumpf may be the Liar-in-Chief, Pence would definitely be the Deceiver-in-Chief. Some mental health professionals say Drumpf is so accustomed to lying that he may not even know it. Well if he is that stupid, why is he in the WH?
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat said: “If Pence were to become President for any reason, the government would be run by the Koch brothers—period. He’s been their tool for years,”
They are both puppets — one of Vladimir Putin (R-RU) and the other of the Kochroaches.
Cartoon — The holier than thou Republicans would dearly love to declare birth control illegal!
Sorry haven’t been in much this pat week or so. Just running out of time and when I do get time, I’m so tired I cannot think straight!
Thanks, hugs, and AMEN to all!