It’s another busy day here in the CatBox. I had to update my iPhone, and the first two attempts didn’t take. I got started 90 minutes late. I also have a mild case of Republicosis. That could cause a shitty day.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:48 (average 5:41). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From YouTube: Starbucks’ Schultz: "I am seriously thinking of running for president"
Oh Shit! Here we go again! If this "corporate Democrat" billionaire runs as a so-called independent, he will expose all of us to the heinous threat of a second term for the Tangerine Traitor. RESIST!!
From CNN: Officials from the United States and the Taliban have agreed in principle to a peace framework that could eventually bring Afghanistan’s long-running war to an end, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan said Monday.
In comments given to the New York Times and confirmed to CNN by the US Embassy in Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad said the framework for peace would see the insurgent group vow to prevent the country from being used as a hub for terrorism in return for a US military withdrawal.
"We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement," Khalilzad told the Times on Monday. "The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals."
I’ll need to count the beans in the can, before I make a final judgment, but I’m inclined to welcome this. On September 27, 2001, US troops had been fighting in Afghanistan one day too long. RESIST!!
From The Guardian: The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on three companies, including the aluminum giant Rusal, linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Democrats had led a push in Congress to continue the restrictions.
Earlier this month, Senate Republicans blocked an effort to keep the sanctions on Rusal, En+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.
Some lawmakers from both parties have said it is inappropriate to ease sanctions on companies tied to Deripaska, an ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, while special counsel Robert Mueller investigates whether Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Moscow.
Deripaska had ties with Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager. Manafort pleaded guilty in September 2018 to attempted witness tampering and conspiring against the United States… [emphasis added]
How obvious is the quid pro quo here? Senate Republicans are in on it too! RESIST!
Cartoon:
A sad day!
12 Responses to “Open Thread – 1/28/2019”
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5:41 (really) Tulips are toxic to cats. Good thing you filled up on beef stroganoff.
The census is officially hiring!
Well, now.
Schultz – Oh, shit it is. I pray he comes to his senses.
CNN Yes, the beans are important. I don’t know enough to express an opinion.
Guardian – What do you say after you say “Quid pro quo”? I’m willing to believe, or at least hope, that some went along only under pressure … but there’s no way to be sure at this point.
Cartoon – Yeah.
This should have been for yesterday … found it too late
RESIST AND PERSIST !!!
This reminder is never too late . . . and it can never be said too often! Trump and Republicans are in danger of starting an American “holocaust” with their white nationalism and white supremacy. It is a rabbit hole that is not needed or wanted.
What Lynn said!
The Dumbocrats don’t need another corporate DINO as their nominee. The DEMOcrats need a genuine PROGRESSIVE who can drag the party kicking and screaming and crying for mommy back to its progressive roots. Fortunately, we voters have a lot to choose from. Unfortunately, we have a lot to choose from. Too many rings around Rosie…
The end of the stupid Afghanistan war cannot come soon enough. I don’t think we were fighting for anything over there, except the interests of the defense contractors.
Today is a sad anniversary. We need a day of remembrance for all people who have died in our endeavors to explore space – and not just those from the USA.
Were he running for the Democratic nomination, I would not support him, but I would not be bent out of shape. He’s not. He’s running 3rd party like Ralph Nader, who gave us GW, and Traitor Jill, who gave is Trump. People are tearing him a new asshole. He doesn’t care.
YT: Nope, he needs to sit this one out. imho.
CNN: This is good news to me, war is ineffective at the cost of thousands of lives, here, and overseas. Wrap it up!
Guardian: How obvious is the quid pro quo? Yep, it’s pretty blatant, imho.
Cartoon: 33 years ago, today, I saw the liftoff of the Challenger from my backyard, and disaster 73 seconds later, in the sky that day, and was saddened by this tragedy, and my remembrance of them. Rest in Peace, and from the words of Mr. McGee (author) and from President Reagan’s speech in addressing the Nation, “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’”
Those who died: We remember Commander Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka, and Ronald E. McNair, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis, and Teacher-in-Space, Payload Specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe as their spirits live on in a new generation of explorers and scientists.
Hope you start feeling better, and relax this evening. Take good care, and Thanks, Tom.
i will never forget that day……..January 28 1986…..
i used to get up super early back then to get ready for work & watched the US news every morning on cable, don’t remember the channel, i saw the darn thing it as it happened!!!
SHOCKED & HORRIFIED… to this day!! ?
YT: He needs to stay away. Far away from running for president.
CNN: I really need more info before I feel comfortable in making a decision.
Guardian: The quid pro quo is blatantly obvious.
Cartoon: I was teaching 5th grade at the time and the entire school was watching. The school was in shock and our counselor was very busy for quite some time with both students and teachers.
Have a restful evening TomCat. I hope you feel better soon.
YT:I say NO to Schultz. We’ve seen what it’s like having a so-called businessman who’s not qualified, running our country. It’s been a real terror.
CNN: Would be wonderful if this war was ended. It’s been long over due and needs to happen now.. END this war NOW.
Cartoon: Very sad day indeed. These seven astronauts will never be forgotten.
YT: Use your brain, not your ego!
CNN: Sounds good to me.
Guardian: So, what else is new in Mobland?
‘Toon: I was listening on the radio at work! What a bummer.
Puzzle — 4:25 You might be OK to eat the petals, but don’t go digging for the bulb because they are poisonous.
YouTube — Unfortunately it is unavailable in Canada. I did however read about this nitwit. Did he not learn from the 2016 election and Jill Stein’s part in electing Trump — the syphoning off Democrat votes?
CNN — So what has over 17 years in Afghanistan accomplished? This should have happened years ago.
Guardian — Quid pro quo on steroids!
Cartoon — A very sad day indeed.
Thanks and hugs to all. I’m pooped but better.