Yesterday I received my approval to visit Virgil and emailed the prison for a reservation. Because of the circumstances, I specified a weekend and gave a day preference, but left the exact date open, so I won’t be certain what day until I hear back. In the meantime, I’ll need to make a point of driving somewhere to keep the battery up. Once I can start visiting regularly, that will be all the driving I eed to do. I also received three packages – one was expected yesterday, one was expected today, and the other one had not been close enough to set a date prior to yesterday so that was definitrely a surprise. The USPS can work very well indeed if it is allowed to. Oh, and I also heard from WWWendy (about some paperwork I had asked her about.) She greets everyone and apologizes for not being here more. Such a sweetie. Finally, I read that British Columbia is on fire – again. Prayers and thoughts for Lynn, please.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
Crooks and Liars – Former Nat. Sec. Adviser Whacks Trump’s Botched Negotiation With Taliban
Quote – You don’t negotiate your own exit with the adversary of the government that you are supporting. And that’s what the Trump administration did. They cut a deal with the Taliban that excluded the Afghan government, effectively again demoralizing them and making them feel like we were simply leaving them holding the bag entirely.
Click through for the story. There is also a video.
Law & Crime – Capitol Siege Defendant Accused of Chanting ‘Fight for Trump!’ Tells Judge He’s a ‘Registered Democrat’ and ‘Not a Trump Supporter’ While Seeking Lighter Sentence
Quote – As the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” … Nevertheless, the Defendant continues to maintain that he simply had no idea he wasn’t allowed to enter the Capitol. It is unclear what additional sign the Defendant needed to indicate he was not welcome other than the barricades, tear gas, pepper balls, alarms, and law enforcement officers.
Click through for both sides’ arguments. One thing is certain – the defense arguments have royally pissed off the prosecution, and rightly so. Lying is one thing. Insulting prosecutors’ intelligence with blatant fantasies is another.
AP News – USDA to permanently boost food stamp benefits by 25 percent
Quote – The increase is part of a multi-pronged Biden administration effort to strengthen the country’s social safety net. Poverty and food security activists maintain that longstanding inadequacies in that safety net were laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting an opportunity to make generational improvements that reach beyond the current public health crisis.
Click through for names and numbers. May as well appreciate good news if we can.
Food for Thought –
5 Responses to “Open Thread for August 17, 2021”
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Cartoon: Of course he did.
C&L: Good video. Shame that TOT did nothing to help anyone, or a nation. But, then again, he’s a failure.
L&C: Nothing like a full grown man who was on TOT’s side…@the 1/6, participating in the violence that day…lying to the judge, his lack of remorse, and not taking responsibility at all…hope he gets jail time, imho.
AP News: Good news all the way around.
Cartoon: Ugh!
Good for you for your anticipated visit. Hope that you have no problems w/your battery either, and safely arrive at your ‘to and fro’ too. Glad that you got your packages. Tell Wendy I said hi…and hope that she is doing well. Hugs! to Wendy!! Hope that you have a good day, and Thank you, Joanne for post.
This just in: “We’re going across the country to let folks know that the Democratic Party is delivering for the American people.” ~ DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison ~
2. “The money from President Joe Biden and Democrats’ expanded Child Tax Credit is money for diapers, food, rent, school supplies, and more to help families get by. It’s a game changer.” ~ Joe Biden ~
3. “I wish that people would realize that the common enemy is the virus. Not each other. We’re in this together. And the only way we’re going to conquer this virus is by working together.” ~ Dr. Anthony Fauci ~
4. “Covid doesn’t respect party registration. It doesn’t single out people on the basis of where they live, eat or work. It infects people of all ages and all views. You might be next. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor: Get vaccinated.” ~ Adam Schiff ~
5. “The nurses, doctors, orderlies, and every other healthcare worker who sacrificed and risked their lives do not deserve this insanity. They held the line until vaccines arrived just to be treated with contempt from people who will demand care when the get sick – which many will.” ~ Dan Rather ~
6. (giggle)..”The Largest audience to EVER witness a reinauguration!! PERIOD!! ~ Sean Spicer ~
TJI #1 – Jaime is, IIRC, charming and sweet-tempered. I wish him every success in this project.
TJI #2 – How sad is it that anyone at all needs to be told how normal, decent people manage money. (Or that SNAP recipients are normal, decent people)?
TJI #3 – He’s right, of course. MAGAts believe that we are the enemy. And they wouldn;t have it any other way. I had a prof who used to quote “A man convinced against his will/Is of the same opiion still.” Sad, and accurate.
TJI #4 – Wise words, but he might as well have saved his breath. They won’t listen.
TJI #5 – You know, the original meaning of the word “prophet” was “a person who speaks truth to power (and sometimes to the people as a power bloc.)” The whole idea of predicting was secondary and came later, probably because a person who speaks truth also has a good grasp of logical consequences. I still prefer the original sense, and Dan Rather certainly is one for our time.
TJI #6 – Aaaaaargh!!
TJI#1: Way to go Jamie.
TJI#3: Dr. Fauci speaks wise words, too bad we have to many idiots especially politicians who aren’t taking this virus, masks, or the vaccines seriously.
TJI#4: He’s spot on about that. Wish people would get vaccinated.
TJI#5: Dan’s spot on. Really shameful people ignore the true facts.
Cartoon: I believe he did and must of been the one he invited tRump to be part of.
C&L: tRump’s administration negotiated with the Taliban? Sounds exactly the way tRump and his team works, doing it 100% backwards. Working and protecting the evil ones, instead of for the Afghan government/people.
L&C: What a real idiot. Here they have proof of what he actually said and did, yet he still tries to change his story. I honestly hope he gets hit good when it comes to his sentencing trail/date.
AP: Great news for all who get it.
Food for Thought: Shameful times … Never imagined something like the January 6 insurrection would of ever happened…All thanks to an idiot.
I’m so happy for you, Joanne that they approved your visitation request to see Virgil. Hope they get back with you regarding the date. Do get out with your car, so the battery will be juiced up so it doesn’t give you any issues.
Nice to hear that Wendy is doing well and staying busy with her schedule. Tell her “Hello” for me.
Hope your day went well.
Take care. Thanks Joanne
How wonderful you get to visit Virgil soon, Joanne. Take care when taking your car out for a spin to keep the battery up.
Cartoon: That sounds much too “gentle” for what that man has created.
C&L: As always, it comes back to the dangerous incompetence of TFG, the “bestes” dealmaker ever. There is no way Biden is ever going to clean up the mess TFG made without getting a little tainted by the consequences.
L&C: Let’s hope the judge is also pissed off by this character’s insult on their intelligence and give this pseudo-Democrat the maximum penalty.
APN: That is good news and a good start. I sincerely hope that the permanent food-stamp boost of 25% makes up for all that was lost to Republican cuts over the years; even under Obama.
FFT: The reality is harsh, isn’t it?