Who would have imagined it. Here in Portland, Oregon, infamous for liquid sunshine, we have a white Christmas. I bet every Republican in town expects minorities to disappear. My feast with Wendy was delicious, and we prepared a plate for the desk clerk who was stuck here for Christmas Eve. She gave me a new bathrobe. I gave her a necklace and jewelry for her piercings, some of which I’ll never get to see worn. 
When we saw the snow was sticking, I sent her home early to keep her safe.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:22 (average 8:13). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Religious Agony:
We’ll get the best draft order we’ve had in years.
Short Takes:
From Politico: House Republicans are in trouble heading into 2018.
President Donald Trump’s unpopularity, voter distaste of Washington and a highly energized Democratic base have combined into a toxic brew for the GOP and its 24-seat House majority. A record number of Democratic candidates are piling into swing districts from Southern California to northern Maine and from the Florida Keys to suburban Seattle, and Republicans trail by double-digits in many national House polls.
But ultimately, the battle for the House is a district-by-district affair. And a handful of seats scattered across the country reveal the trends that will dominate those battleground races for the next year, including huge Democratic primaries, Republicans’ growing suburban problem, and the outbreak of sexual misconduct allegations roiling more and more campaigns every week.
Here are POLITICO’s 10 most important House races of 2018 — and why they matter in the battle for the House:
Illinois’ 6th District: Revenge of the suburbs
GOP Rep. Peter Roskam won reelection handily in 2016, but his Chicagoland district saw a big shift, with President Donald Trump losing it by 7 points after Mitt Romney carried the seat by 8 points in 2012. And since Trump took office, elections in Virginia, New Jersey and a handful of congressional special elections around the country have seen local candidates fall to or even below Trump’s levels in the suburbs.
That’s a big warning sign for Roskam and other Republicans in suburbs of New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Kansas City and more heading into 2018. Democrats have to wade through a crowded primary before they face Roskam. Kelly Mazeski, who picked up an EMILY’s List endorsement and raised the most money last quarter, is leading the pack, though anything can happen in a field of seven candidates. But even a bruised Democratic opponent may not stem the tide against Roskam and other suburban congressmen.
“Increasingly socially progressive, suburban voters have been drifting away from the GOP for years,” said Ian Russell, former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee deputy executive director. “Trump dramatically accelerated this movement, and the tax bill will only further alienate them.”
I shared one. Click through for the other nine. RESIST!!
From BuzzFeed: Turns out, a guy named Robert Strong sent the Mnuchins a large wrapped box filled with horse poo in the name of the American people. Good, ole, organic horse shit that he "borrowed" from some friends to make a political statement…
…Strong also attached a hand-written card that read: "Dear Misters Trump and Mnuchin, we are returning your Christmas gift of the Republican tax plan because it’s complete horse shit. Sincerely, the American people."
Now you know who the hero is and what he looks like. RESIST!!
From Common Dreams: In an interview on CNN’s "State of the Union" on Sunday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed President Donald Trump for "bragging" about a provision in the GOP tax bill that could leave 13 million more Americans without health insurance and argued that the U.S. should instead be working toward guaranteeing healthcare to all Americans as a right.
"Instead of bragging about more Americans without health insurance, we should join every other major country on Earth, guarantee healthcare for all people, and end the absurdity of paying twice as much per capita for healthcare as every other major nation," the Vermont senator said.
Amen Bernie! Thank you! RESIST!!
Cartoon:
10 Responses to “Open Thread – 12/25/2017”
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4:16 (8:13? Really?) followed by two gummi bears and a plum pudding in a hard sauce.
Yeah, I looked up that result and had the same thought.
Politico – Interesting. And very good points. Well, it will take a lot of work.
Buzzfeed – I saw this photo! What he looks like to me is a Biblical prophet, speaking truth to power – how appropriate. Who he is, is a combination of a smartass and a hero. Well, if he gets charged, I know where to look for petitions and funding information – starting with Daily Kos.
Common Dreams – GOP tax bill in one sentence – “If they are like to die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Politico: I can only hope and pray for a win for the Dems in the Houston area, Alex Triantaphyllis and Lizzie Pannill Fletcher. Best to both of them. I still love my Beto !!! (El Paso) 😉 Good article.
BuzzFeed: How awesome is this guy??? Pretty dam awesome!!!
CD: Thank you, Mr. Sanders for saying it outright, for what I was yelling about inside my head, and also to protect our Dreamers.
Cartoon: Awwwwwww……….
We’re (my guys) aren’t looking good, hopefully they will rally 2nd half. Behind 20-0 @halftime vs. Steelers. ugh! Snow on Christmas! How lovely! We did vegan (again), only it was chili today. Not bad at all. Hope that you have a relaxing evening, take care, and Thanks, Tom.
Politico: To all you progressives out there: Make 2018 a really memorable year and turn the prophesy for a bad year for Republicans into reality. And then some!
Buzzfeed: In a way it is sad that new heroes have had come down to Drumpf’s level to get through to him, but it certainly is enjoyable and it is after all the only way to get a message through his thick skull and thoese of his minions.
CD: Kudos to you, Bernie. Back in full force I see.
Enjoy the rest of your Christmas too, TomCat.
Religious agony: The silver lining of a lousy season is better draft picks.
Politico: I hope that ALL Rethuglican House members are feeling the heat. If enough people back truly Progressive Democrats, and enough progressives get their arses to the polls, we will see a political bloodbath in 2018. This may be our last chance to save our country – possibly civilization – by peaceful and legal means.
CD: You said it, Bernie! We need a health care system that is affordable and reliable, not based on profit.
Cartoon: Happy and joyful holidays, whichever ones you celebrate.
Well, looks like I shoulda put Brady, Demarco Murray and the Seahawks def in instead of Jaguars def, Matt Stafford and Devonta Freeman in on my team today! UGH! Woulda had it walkin away if I had! Rats!!! Ahhh, the sits and starts of FF!!
Sounds like you had a much better Christmas than we did! Oh, well. Glad you had WWW there to celebrate with you! Me and my old man watched western and one game today. Got a birthday call a day late from my Sis. But she had worked a long time the night before and slept thru X-mas Eve. My kids sent texts for my B-day. Wish I could see them SOON!
Hope the New Year is good for you, TC! We’re gonna just sit here and watch it come in on TV and that will be good enough for us!
Love to you and yours, TomCat! Merry Ho Ho Ho, TomCat!!!
Politico: May it be that the Rethugs will reap the wind they have stirred up!
Buzzfeed: I’m with you, Mr. Strong!
Common Dreams: Bernie still has it right!
Thank you, Robert Strong.
Loved the “poop message” and the man who actually did do it. Made me laugh. I guess one can find anything on the internet, something for everyone. It did give me some ideas. lol.
Top 11 Reasons to Send Someone Poop!
For your exNeighbors pet crapping on your lawnFor your mean bossFor a salesperson or mechanic that ripped you offA Last minute gift for some one who has everythingA gag giftFor that rich gloating friend, knock them down a pegTo the teacher that gave your son/daughter a poor gradeSome one left you a negative review or feedbackYou just don’t like themPoliticians you do not like
TC: Maybe you can create a poll with regards to the “poop gift”. Who would you most likely send a “poop greeting” to a politician (list of names), town/friend jerk, write-in, and so forth. Just an idea as you once said that you had a hiccup lapse in coming up with a new poll for us in PP.
https://www.poopsenders.com/
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Thanks all. Hugs!
Puzzle — 3:50 Damn, those look so good! Even better if they were chocolate covered Rice Crispies on a milk chocolate ball!
Politico — May the Force be with all Democrats! Send the Republican storm troopers packing forever!
Buss Feed — Too funny, and oh so appropriate!!! I sure do hope that the 1st amendment covers this fellow! If corporations are people, and if money is free speech, then a load of horse shit should be free speech!!! . . . even if Republicans don’t like it! AMEN JD!!!
Common Dreams — AMEN Bernie! Bernie would make a good Canuck!
Cartoon — Your new robe looks good on you . . . perhaps a little big, but good!