Here in the CatBox, I began my Easter celebration by oversleeping for 90 minutes, so I’m way behind schedule. WWWendy will be soon here, and I’ll try to finish everything during breaks in our work. I hope the Easter Kitten brought you lots of eggs.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 2:48 (average 4:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): McGahn: Details “Accurately Described” In Mueller Report
McGahn’s testimony alone is grounds for impeachment. RESIST!!
From Alternet: Below are 10 examples of “European exceptionalism” and areas in which Europe is way ahead of the United States.
1. Lower Incarceration Rates
Benjamin Franklin famously said that those who are willing to sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither, and the U.S. is more dangerous than most of Europe (especially in terms of homicide) even though it is becoming more and more of a police state. The U.S. incarcerates, per capita, more people than any other country in the world: in 2012, the U.S.’ incarceration rate, according to the International Centre for Prison Studies, was 707 per 100,000 people compared to only 60 per 100,000 in Sweden, 72 per 100,000 in Norway, 78 per 100,000 in Germany, 75 per 100,000 in the Netherlands, 87 per 100,000 in Switzerland, 99 per 100,000 in Italy, 103 per 100,000 in France, and 144 per 100,000 in Spain. Certainly, the failed War on Drugs and the Prison/Industrial Complex are major factors in the U.S.’ appallingly high incarceration rate, and unless the U.S. seriously reforms its draconian drug laws, it will continue to lock up a lot more of its people than Europe.
Could it be because Europe has fewer Republicans? I shared the first of ten. Click through for the other nine. RESIST!!
From NY Times: …Interviews with several dozen Democratic voters around the country show how the party, which enjoyed victories in 2018 that were powered by female and nonwhite candidates, is now grappling with two complicated questions about race, gender and politics in the Trump era.
Is a white man the best face for an increasingly diverse Democratic Party in 2020?
No candidate should be nominated or excluded from nomination on the basis of race, gender, or sexual identity. However, orangeness is a valid reason for incarceration/ RESIST!!
Cartoon:
8 Responses to “Open Thread – 4/21/2019”
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5:02 Watch out for the big one … predator could easily become prey.
Poor Sri Lanka! And having Pompeo spread lies is just adding dangerous insult to devastating injury.
MSNBC – Yes indeed. Mark Sumner over at Daily Kos has an interesting tape on why this all transpired as it has.
AlterNet – I’m not sure “exceptionalism” is the word. We are the exception, it’s just that we are exceptionally awful. Almost every other nation in the world is ahead of us in just about everything (except corruption).
NYT – The question MAY have some validity. But it’s inconsequential enough that it really should only come into play if a tiebreaker becomes needed. Even then, it would be rough to deal with without shooting ourselves in the foot.
Cartoon – Not this year – they’re spending no money on paint – it’s a luxury. The turds will be au naturel.
(Apologies to Pat) This just in – “Someone needs to do a movie about the Schiff/Trump wars called Adam and Skeeve.” – Aldous J. Pennyfarthing
*Joanne, NO apologies needed. Enjoyed that quote as much as mine today, lol
MSNBC: Those that work for this bogus potus, either have to stand up for the values and duty/laws of the US., in what they believe in, or bend the knee. I know, speaking for myself….I would stand with those who went against his requests/demands/cover-ups that still continue to this day. At least I’d have a clear conscience sleeping at night.
AN: I too, would love to live in a county that is fair/respectful and works for the people.
NYT: I personally, enjoy listening to all of them. (D’s), and whoever is nominated, I’m voting BLUE. Through and through. No matter who!
Cartoon: Sick lot, aren’t they?
Hi, WWWendy! Hope that you had a good Easter, I know I did. Good dinner, ate too much though, and now I’m sleepy. The little ones had a blast looking for eggs too. Ahhhh….to be young, with all that energy! Hope you have a good rest of your day, take care, and Thanks, Tom.
*This just in: “Trump likes to talk about nothing, because it’s the only thing he knows anything about.” ~ Betty C. ~
We could learn a lot from the Europeans. But we probably won’t.
3:15 Don’t choke on the beak when you’re eating it, TomCat.
MSNBC: By now, I think there’s nothing left but to start very transparent impeachment procedures, because those people from Drumpf’s own administration who have told the truth during their hearings will just be dismissed as liars and Drumpfians will gladly believe that. So, there’s still the risk of another four years of Drumpf in a Republican-rigged and 1%-sponsored election unless Democrats can keep evidence of the (moral) corruption and crimes of the Drumpf clan coming.
Alternet: Canada, Australia and New Zealand can easily be added to these European countries in respect to all of these 10 points.
NYT: I agree with Joanne; with so many Democratic candidates (17 and counting, is it?) it is FAR TOO EARLY to pose this question. In fact, I think it the wrong question to ask now as it may be divisive at this point, and the Democratic party has enough division to contend with right know.
Happy Easter!
AN: Would be nice to live where these people are still treated with respect, even though they made some wrong choices.
NYT: I too agree with Joanne. that there are many Democratic candidates. We certainly are going to have to do our home work and go thru each and every one of their promises/offerings.
Puzzle — 4:34 I agree with JD — “predator could easily become prey”. That beak is a killer! I have been bitten by a pair of lovebirds a number of times.
MSNBC — I think that Trump’s reaction to the news that a special counsel had been appointed is appropriate here . . . “I am f*cked!” McGahn still has some integrity left.
AlterNet —
NY Times —
Cartoon — Yup!
I’ll be back to finish. I am starting to do a face plant.
Thanks and Hugs to all.