It’s another tired day here in the CatBox, but I managed another post today. Tomorrow is a WWWendy Day. After the destinking the TomCat, we plan to have a special dinner. I will still be in the saddle tomorrow, as she’s coming in mid-afternoon. But I’m not big on year in review articles, so I don’t know what I’ll have to work with. Tonight we can celebrate New Years Eve together: ZZZZZZ with me!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:13 (average 5:38). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Cartoon:
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: The House of Representatives had a busy Monday, returning early from the Christmas break to easily override a Trump veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and pass a boost to the stimulus bill survival checks from $600 to $2,000. So Trump got a rebuke and a gift at the same time. Trump was walloped on the NDAA, with 322 voting to override to 87 sticking with him.
The Senate will convene at noon on Tuesday, when Sen. Mitch McConnell will indicate how the Senate is going to proceed with what the House is presenting to him this morning. The veto override won’t be an issue, even though it requires the same two-thirds majority as in the House. The Senate passed the NDAA with a 84-13 margin under Trump’s veto threat. The override vote could happen as soon as Wednesday, or Democrats could force a delay as they demand a vote on the $2,000 survival checks.
Loeffler and Perdue are now on board, saying “yes” to the checks. After saying “no,” of course.
Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey have vowed to block the defense bill until they get a vote on the $2,000 survival checks. “That relief passed in the House today with 44 Republicans voting for it,” Markey tweeted Monday. “Senate Republicans must do the same and get the American people the help they need.” Sanders said in a statement Monday, “Let me be clear: If Sen. McConnell doesn’t agree to an up or down vote to provide the working people of our country a $2,000 direct payment, Congress will not be going home for New Year’s Eve.”
Major Kudos to Bernie. A New Years Eve filibuster has the added benefit of slowing the spread of Trump* virus by keeping GOP Senators from sponsoring super-spreader events at home. Nevertheless, it won’t work, because Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch will not give-in. RESIST!!
From Crooks and Liars: You would think being “anti-wife beating” would be a bipartisan thing.
But what about “that guy I went out with once is stalking me and he has a gun”?
This week Senate Republicans again showed us who they are.
Senate Republicans are blocking re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) over the so-called “Boyfriend Loophole.” USA Today:
…the most recent version of the bill passed by the House last year intended to close the “boyfriend loophole,” which proved to be a large point of contention for many Republicans.
Previous versions of the act barred those convicted of domestic violence or abuse from purchasing and owning a gun if they were married to, lived with or had a child with the victim. But the 2019 amendment hoped to extend that provision to include dating partners and stalkers.
Though it had support from all Democrats who voted but one, only 33 Republicans voted to move the legislation forward, and the GOP has been accused of giving into the National Rifle Association, which has opposed the change.
Blocking VAWA to protect the gun rights of stalkers with a history of domestic violence is so evil it’s… Republican. Thank God for Joe. RESIST!!
From NY Times: Josh Hawley became the first senator on Wednesday to take up President Trump’s demand that lawmakers challenge the results of the 2020 election, saying he would object to Congress’s certification of the Electoral College results on Jan. 6.
The move by Mr. Hawley, Republican of Missouri, is unlikely to alter the outcome of the election, but it will force Republicans to publicly affirm President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory in a politically fraught test of loyalty to Mr. Trump.
Mr. Hawley, an ambitious freshman senator, framed the objection as “an effort to highlight the failure” of states “to follow their own election laws as well as the unprecedented interference of Big Tech monopolies in the election.” He did not repeat the president’s false claim of widespread voter fraud.
“Millions of voters concerned about election integrity deserve to be heard,” Mr. Hawley said in a statement. “I will object on Jan. 6 on their behalf.”
The decision ensures that the certification process, typically a formality, will instead become a debate on the House and Senate floors, elevating Mr. Trump’s repeated false assertions. The Constitution requires that challenges to the certification process be endorsed by lawmakers in both the House and Senate. While Mr. Trump’s most strident allies in the House had announced that they would object to Congress’s effort to certify the Electoral College results, they had so far been unable to persuade a member of the Senate to publicly back their effort.
What an asshole! And what an embarrassment to residents of that state. While no citizen of that state is to blame, except those that voted in that Nazi, Hawley makes Missouri such embarrassing misery that the Kansas City Chiefs should relocate out of shame… preferably to Portland or Denver. RESIST!!
From YouTube (a blast from the past): Steppenwolf – Born To Be Wild
Steppenwolf wanted to create rock music as it might have developed here, had there been no British influence. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!
19 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!
15 Responses to “Open Thread – 12/31/2020”
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It will be quiet here. And, of course, cold, but I will stay warm.
Cartoon – Looks ready indeed.
DKos – Yes, I am seeing articles saying things like “I’ve never been a Berbie supporter, but he’s doing a great thing” all over.
C&L – If they don’t care about women dying because they can’t get abortions, why would they care about women gettin gkilled by “boyfriends”?
NYT – Interestingly I read this morning that Mike Pence’s trip which was planned to start January 6th immediately after the certification, has een cancelled. I though t he an mother were going to be skiing, but he seems to have been going to Israel first. I hope this doesn’t mean shenanigans planned for the certificaion will now involve him.
Blast – I’ll see your Steppenwolf and raise you a Hampton String Quartet in the Video Thread. I was looking for something inspirational, and you just gave it to me
Cartoon: Those days are done and gone for me. PTL.
DK: Kudos to Sanders & Markley for doing so. BBMM won’t budge .. the curmudgeon. ugh!
C&L: The rethugs never surprise me with what they do and say. They don’t give a flip either. ugh!
NYT: Trying to score brownie points from dt? Why so late in the game? What an As- !!
BFTP: Awesome song. Even today!
Hi, and Happy New Year to you and WWWendy!! So nice to read that y’all will be having a Special Dinner! Yes, a nap sounds about right this time of the day. LOL ! Take good, good care and Thanks, Tom.
*This just in: “This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her dog. It was obvious she thought her dog understood her. I went into my house and told my cat. We laughed a lot.” ~ CP ~ h/t JD
2. “I need to practice social distancing from the refrigerator.” ~ CP ~ h/t JD
3. “Appropriate analogy. “The curve is flattening so we can start lifting restrictions now” is like saying “The parachute has slowed our rate of descent, so we can take it off now.” ~ CP ~ h/t JD
4. “McConnell and Republican senators have endless tolerance for other people’s sadness.” ~ Nancy Pelosi ~
5. “Never have so few worked so hard to harm so many and they are proud of it.” ~ Ron S. ~
6. “dt – Stochastic flailing with a side of schadenfreude. It’s what’s for breakfast.” ~ Jim B. ~
7. “Hawley. Sh-t ! That’s it !” ~ John P ~
TJI #3 – Yeah, that’s accurate.
TJI #4 – Nancy also has a way with words, doesn’t she.
TJI #5 – Pride over harming other people generally happens in war, and the other people harmed are the enemy. Who needs any more evidence we are in a class war?
TJI #7 – Well said!
Oops! I forgot….Happy New Year 2021 to all who grace these pages!
It’s cold here, and since it’s below 50ish…we’re staying home,
(as we have for months now). Stay safe everyone!
“Toon: Carefully!
DK: McTurtle is in a tight spot on the $2,000 issue, esp. with Perdue and Loeffler having, conveniently, switched their positions thereupon, so there may be hope for passage. Where is the bit about the section on money laundering, did the RePuklicans get it out?
C&L: VAWA is dead meat, to the NRA, and most GOPIGGIES, I’m sure.
NYT: I am not especially surprised that this comes from an Missouri person, given that state’s horrid reputation on most things reasonable.
BFP: Steppenwolfians forever!
“Toon: Carefully!
DK: McTurtle is in a tight spot on the $2,000 issue, esp. with Perdue and Loeffler having, conveniently, switched their positions thereupon, so there may be hope for passage. Where is the bit about the section on money laundering, did the RePuklicans get it out?
C&L: VAWA is dead meat, to the NRA, and most GOPIGGIES, I’m sure.
NYT: I am not especially surprised that this comes from an Missouri person, given that state’s horrid reputation on most things reasonable.
BFP: Steppenwolfians forever!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you and may 2021 be a better year for everyone….except the Repuglicons
If “a better year” includes “becoming sane,” I’d even wish it for them.
Cartoon: Yep, no more of those morning after sufferings. Not worth the pain.
DK: mItch the b*tch sure doesn’t seem to give a hoot one bit about all of the people out there suffering. Do appreciate the efforts Bernie has been doing for the people.
C&L: Shameful that the again they show how heartless the rotten R’s are toward Women….rotten as*holes.
NYT: What a creep hAwley is. Why he wants to make points with tRump, who knows. I honestly hope it ruins his future as for all of the others rotten R’s who’s planning on going in with him. May they all rot in he*l.
BFTP: Great song. Still love listening to it.
Sure hope you’re feeling better. That you’re getting all of the rest that you need.
Hope you enjoy your visit with Wendy that you both have a nice meal together.
Wishing you a “Happy New Year’. Tom and that goes for Wendy, her family and all members and their families here on your Political Plus site.
Take care. Thanks TomCat
I am ashamed that I have Josh Hawley as my Senator, instead of Claire McCaskill. (Yeah, I know – but compared to Hawley?!?)
I will be sending him multiple FAX WRT his seditious actions.
(Yeah, I know – FAX might be passé, but it’s hard to ignore!)
Claire McCaskill is no fool – she certainly has a sharp, cutting wit (which she is no longer afraid to use.) If she had a safe seat in the Senate, I think you might be surprised by how good she could be. But, yeah, almost anything would be better than Hawley. Almost.
I already had my New Year Eve celebration 14 hours ago; I hope you’ve enjoyed yours, TomCat.
3:57 I have to get myself a left-handed mouse.
Cartoon: If I understand this one correctly, you cleanse your innards to start the New Year purified?
DK: Bernie Sanders is doing exactly what needs to be done for the country. And Mitch McConnell is doing what he always does, for himself and his billionaire friends.
C&L: Republicans blocked the VAWA because they want to continue being able to beat up their mistress and still carry a gun.
While reading the short take, the expression “pistol-whipping” came to mind…
NYT: There was a guy – whatshisname – who said he’d do this but he’s backed off. And Pence is not sneaking off to Israel after he’s reported the Electoral College results? Must be to put the pressure on Josh Hawley not to back-off too and divert Trump’s attention away from himself to the Republicans who vote ‘against’ Trump.
BFTP: This is, of course, another classic but I’m not very familiar with the rest of Steppenwolf’s repertoire. Too much British influence from Procul Harum and Moody Blue’s classic influences, I guess.
Happy 2021!
Perfect deadpan on the cartoon (I’ve heard that mock-innocence called “Suzy Creamcheese” Not that it doesn’t make a kind of sense., though.)
I hope you are correct on Hawley (the other guy was Tommy Tuberville, a football coach who stole Doug Jones’s seat.)
Hi, TC! Wishing you a new year of better health and lots of joy! Special good wishes for WWWendy! (Special good wishes for ALL of us!)
Thanks and pooped Hurry Hugs to all!