It’s a cold day here in the CatBox, as Portland us under a freezing fog watch. That often brings black ice. I’m sure glad I don’t have to go out today. Oh God It’s Monday!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:33 (average 5:06). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From YouTube: The Seekers – A World of our Own
Ah the memories… A world of our one is one in which atmospheric carbon is decreasing, and every Republican politician is unemployed. RESIST!!
From NY Times: European leaders have long been alarmed that President Trump’s words and Twitter messages could undo a trans-Atlantic alliance that had grown stronger over seven decades. They had clung to the hope that those ties would bear up under the strain.
But in the last few days of a prestigious annual security conference in Munich, the rift between Europe and the Trump administration became open, angry and concrete, diplomats and analysts say.
A senior German official, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak on such matters, shrugged his shoulders and said: “No one any longer believes that Trump cares about the views or interests of the allies. It’s broken.”
The most immediate danger, diplomats and intelligence officials warned, is that the trans-Atlantic fissures now risk being exploited by Russia and China.
I have no doubt that Putin’s pervert is pushing Europe away to align with Russia. RESIST!!
From Willamette Week: In an interview this week, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) offered a new reason he might not run for president: fear that if he doesn’t seek reelection to the Senate, that could provide an opening for Republicans.
It sounds a little odd in a state that has elected precisely one Republican to statewide office since 2002.
Merkley told the NW Labor Press that he’s still weighing his options.
“Because others may run,” he explained. “The Republicans may get an opportunity to have a strong candidate. And I cannot let an Oregon Senate seat go to someone who is fighting for the privileged and powerful.”
Oregon does not allow a name to appear on the ballot for two different offices.
I’d like to see Jeff become better known before making a Presidential run in a year in which he does not have to give up his Senate seat to run. Assuming we win in 2020, 2028 would be a good year for it. RESIST!!
Cartoon:
11 Responses to “Open Thread – 2/18/2019”
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5:12 Beheheh.
Seekers – While I don’t want any Republican politicians employed as politicians, I’d be happy if they were all in non-political, dead-end, subsistence jobs, that keep them too busy and too tired to get up to mischief. And too broke to buy guns.
NYT – Well, he’s been fomenting right wing craziness there just as here. Te current leaders may be too smart to fall for that, but they could certainly be replaced by right wing leaders who would fall for it. I’m glad I’m old – but sorry I’m glad.
WW – Jeff is no fool. Not much gets past him. I’m sure he’ll make the right decision – whatever that is.
Cartoons – They do indeed.
Seekers: Yes! Wouldn’t this be wonderful?? Good song, brings back memories…
NYT: Sad, sad…sad.
WW: Mr. Merkley is thinking ahead, excellent analysis in seeing his future and his thoughts on this.
Cartoon: Of course they have!
It was in the mid 40’s this a.m. here. Since I’ve retired, I don’t mind Mondays like I used to. lol. Enjoy your evening, relax and take good care, and Thanks, Tom.
*This just in: Angela Merkel to dt: “You can’t send an astronaut to the sun, he’d burn to death!” dt- “What if I send him up at night?” ~ Anon ~
great video, thanks
Sometimes I wish that we could roll out a red carpet and invite the civilized nations of this planet to come conquer and occupy the USA – and give us real gun control, single-payer health care, genuine democracy, and the metric system.
Seekers: Yes.
NYT: Really sad. I wish tRump would take his tweets and drop off of our planet. Besides all of the crap he’s causing in our country he’s causing so much chaos with other nations. tearing all of what others have worked toward in the past.
WW: Hope he does think deeply about what direction/choice he’s going with.
Cartoon: Shameful that it’s oh so true. The idiot leader only preaches HATRED..
3:36 I hope Lynn can save the poor critter before you devour him.
New Seekers: Funny how the accent disappears when singing. I thought the New Seekers were American until I moved Down Under and another of their songs (I am Australia) is played almost daily as the second (but much better) anthem. They sure had a talent for conjuring up nice worlds.
NYT: “the trans-Atlantic fissures now risk being exploited by Russia and China.” I think it’s worse than that; the fissures are caused by Russia who has hand-puppet Drumpf step out of the alliance in order to destabilize Europe and take over dominion from the US, which has lost all credibility in two short years under Putin’s guidance.
WW: As much as I admire Jeff Merkely as one of America’s most progressive and compassionate senators, I’m not sure if he’s presidential material just yet. He’s admittedly on a very steep learning curve, but compared with the many Democratic candidates out there, he’s still a bit too timid and not “showy” enough (reasons why I like him so much too) to hold out long in the gruelling debates that are going to follow in the next two years. Oregon should be happy that he is willing to fight for it while continuing to hone his presidential skills.
Cartoon: They wouldn’t know the difference.
I knew the were Ozzies and love their anthem.
The Seekers: Very cool; especially Clark Kent in the Buddy Holly specs!
NYT: Has Drumph not suggested even leaving NATO? I think Putin must be pinching himself, wondering how how had the luck to score Drumph so totally!
WW: I like your thinking on this, TC.
W.T.F.?!? “freezing fog watch” “black ice”
SCARY!!! TC ?
At least the current European leaders realize how mind-blowing DUMB Twitler is:
Thanks and pooped hugs to all.