WWWendy is due shortly, and we have a full slate of tasks to finish. This is my only article today.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:01 (average 4:58). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From YouTube: Youngbloods, the – Get together (audio original)
Ah… the memories. The Republican Reich stole the love. It’s time to take it back! RESIST!!
From The New Yorker: The comedian Rosie O’Donnell will narrate the audiobook of Robert Mueller’s long-awaited report, the special counsel’s office confirmed on Saturday.
Explaining the selection of O’Donnell, a spokesperson for Mueller said, “Donald Trump has complained about how much this report has cost, and Rosie has agreed to narrate it for free. In fact, she offered to pay us to let her narrate it.”
Speaking to reporters, O’Donnell called the job of narrating Mueller’s report “the acting job of a lifetime.”
“I never thought I’d get the chance to play so many twisted characters,” she said. “I mean, when else am I going to get to be both Ivanka and Jared? People are gonna freaking love listening to this in the car.”
Wow, Andy! Let’s pipe that into Trump’s solitary cell, and turn up the volume. RESIST!!
From The Nation: It’s 2019, and the Democratic Party is finally starting to energize voters. Gone are calls for cutting Social Security or one-upping Republicans in games of tax-cutting or warmongering. In their place are transformational ideas like Medicare for All, universal childcare, and a Green New Deal. Democratic candidates and elected officials are finally hearing the needs and wishes of their supporters, and acting accordingly.
Now it’s time for those of us in the consulting field, who work to help elect these leaders, to follow suit.
While it’s not well-known outside the political class, many consultants who advise campaigns are often working for corporate clients at the same time—and all too frequently, these clients interests’ directly oppose the goals of any progressive coalition. Those working both sides of the street include some of the most senior aides from the Obama administration, and as well as advisers to both the Clinton and Sanders campaigns. From opposing progressive taxation to fighting for deregulation, working for corporate clients means pushing an agenda most progressives would consider a non-starter were it espoused by a political candidate.
Many progressives recently criticized Bill Burton, a top Democratic consultant and former Obama aide, for working on former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s independent presidential bid. Critics rightly worried that by helping Schultz direct massive resources against the Democratic nominee, Burton could swing the election over to Donald Trump. Besides, Schultz’s agenda of opposing higher taxes on multimillionaires or Medicare for All is a direct attack on the progressive movement.
I could not agree more. Corporate double-dipping by Democratic consultants is both anti-democratic and anti-Democratic. RESIST!!
Cartoon:
10 Responses to “Open Thread – 2/24/2019”
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4:42 Oh dear, and Lona's not home to save him. Maybe Squatch can.
Youngbloods – Yeah. Just wondering how many of the people in that crowd are (a) still alive, (b) still hanging on to that dream. Statistically, at least some of them who are still alive will have voted for Orange Judas.
TNY – It sounds like a much, much better idea if one doesn't confuse Rosie O'Donnell with Roseanne Barr. Trust me on this.
Nation – Ironic that this story of double dealing consultants (which is quite accurate and something we desperately need to be aware of) comes from The Nation, a publicationwhich lost me when Katrina van der Heuvel (senior editor, is she? Or owner or part owner? Very high up, anyway) opined one time too many for me that Americans should stop focusing on Russia. Look, I have no bone to pick with the Russian people, many of whom are wonderful (of course every nation's population is a mixed bag). But if we were to stop looking at the Russian government's targeted election interference, we would be committing national suicide. I think I read somewhere that Katrina's husband is employed by Russia or some Russian, but don't quote me on that.
Cartoon – It is, of course, a two-edged sword, but it is IMO a necessary one, and I shudder to think what the United States would look like today without it.
RESIST AND PERSIST !!!
YT: WOW! This sure does bring back good memories, thx for the flashback. Yes, spread the Love!
NYer: Great read, In reply to Andy's article, Rosie has said that she's 'Totally 100% in for reading/voicing this! https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/431293-rosie-odonnell-says-shed-100-percent-voice-an-audiobook-of
TN: Great article! I totally agree. I want to be on board with the issues, get the agenda going, strengthening our candidates, and be with those running. Let's get our Nation back!!
Cartoon: Absolutely!
Hi, WWWendy, hope all is good with you…get your chores done, then relax, take it easy, and enjoy the rest of your day/evening. Take care, and Thanks, Tom.
*This just in: (tho I'm retired)…."Lawmakers trust me with a gun in my classroom. Maybe next, they'll trust me with my curriculum and standardized testing." ~Laura M. ~
Marbury v Madison – definitely in the top 10 most influential rulings. And I think it was correctly decided!
I agree. It made the Court Supreme.
An awesome blast from the past! ❤️
Thanx TC ?
Democrats need to grow a spine – and a "pair" – and focus on WINNING. Losers don't make policy. They failed in 2016, and had only a partial victory in 2018, by not backing true progressives enough. There is still plenty of time, though, for them to put the party back on its true path and get some real progressive candidates at all levels, from city councils to the Senate. It isn't enough to "vote blue no matter who," we need to put some actual Progressives in office!
Youngbloods: Marvelous! BTW, my wife recently set up her "Google Hub," and guess who I was listening to the other day? Jessie Colin Young and The Youngbloods. But, th GOP did not steal the love, they couldn't, wouldn;t know what to make of it, to do with it. No, instead, they stomped on it, and peed all over it, but, it remains!
New Yorker: As long as she does not try to sing it!
The Nation: Maybe, Love is like the Phoenix! But it can not fly if it is compromised by deceit and greed.
'Toon: Can we strike down the electoral college?
YT: Yes it sure does bring memories. Agree with you that we much fight and get it back.
NY: I'm ready to get order my audio copy and start listening.Will be a real thriller.
NT: Agree with Pat. I want to know and be involved..
Thanks and Hugs to all! ?
Puzzle — 4:40 Sorry little bird. I could not rescue you from the gaping maw of the Puddy Tat. My new laptop is not very conducive to jigsaw puzzles.
YouTube — A blast from the past! "Smile on your brother" was part of the message of yesterday's sermon at church along with words from Mahatma Gandhi and MLK Jr.
The New Yorker — "Let’s pipe that into Trump’s solitary cell, and turn up the volume." AMEN but one more step, put it on a permanent loop! If he isn't crazy yet, he sure will be within short order!
The Nation — "…working for corporate clients means pushing an agenda most progressives would consider a non-starter were it espoused by a political candidate." — So why are candidates hiring these consultants? Are they not being vetted properly? Time for Citizens United to be overturned because corporations are not people. Candidates should be representing REAL people, REAL voters! "Corporate double-dipping by Democratic consultants is both anti-democratic and anti-Democratic." AMEN!!! As to Howard Shultz, he appears to be the new Jill Stein — electio interruptor!
Cartoon — From Wikipedia:
Sorry I'm late. A massive headache had me out yesterday afternoon/evening and unable to think. Good this morning though. My new laptop is going to take some getting used to as some functions seem to be very different to those to which I am accustomed.