I wish I had some good personal news, but yesterday my COPD was very severe.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:02 (average 4:50). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From NBC: The arrest of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ended the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers, but it set in motion an equally intense phase of the case that will begin with the grilling of the man who – for now at least – is the only surviving suspect.
An indication of the complex investigation ahead came Friday night, when an Obama administration official told NBC News that Tsarnaev would not be given a Miranda warning when he is physically able to be interrogated after receiving medical treatment.
Instead, the official said, the government will invoke a legal rule known as the "public safety exception," which will enable investigators to question Tsarnaev without first advising him of his right to remain silent and to be afforded legal counsel.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Republicans are screaming to try Tsarnaev as an enemy combatant, stripping him of virtually all rights afforded criminal suspects by the Constitution. Using the Public Safety Exception is also wrong. The worst domestic terrorist in US history, Timothy McVeigh, whom Republicans have celebrated by scheduling Open Carry events on an anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, was read his Miranda Rights, as is the right thing to do. So should Tsarnaev. As for Republican military tribunals, considering their almost universal record of failure, as opposed to civilian courts’ universal record of success, when trying terrorism suspects, I’m glad DOJ is defying the Republican Party and going the civilian court route.
From Think Progress:
Three times in American history, the loser of the national popular vote became President of the United States — most recently when George W. Bush entered the White House with an assist from his fellow conservatives on the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, even in elections where the American people ultimately see their choice become president, candidates focus their efforts on just a handful of key swing states — Ohio, Florida, Colorado, etc. — while largely ignoring most of the country. If a plan passed by the Oregon House yesterday becomes sufficiently widespread, however, these practices will end and future presidents will be determined solely according to the will of the voters:
The legislation would require Oregon to cast its seven Electoral College ballots for the candidate who wins the national vote, rather than the one who gets the most votes in Oregon.
It would take effect only if a compact is enacted in states with a majority in the electoral college.
Nine states with 132 electoral votes have enacted it, about half of the 270 needed to win the presidency.
In addition to preventing incidents like the 2000 election, where the loser of the popular vote becomes the winner of the only vote that matters, this National Popular Vote plan would also prevent Republicans from enacting two plans they’ve proposed to rig the Electoral College.
This is the plan I’ve supported for years, because it makes all states and all voters equal. For more info visit National Popular Vote. Kudos to Oregon.
From Bill Moyers Journal: Biologist, mother and activist Sandra Steingraber joins Bill to talk about the need to build awareness about toxins that contaminate our air, water and food — and threaten our children’s health. With government captured by the very industries it’s supposed to regulate, Steingraber says she’s lost patience with politicians and corporations, and the time for direct action is now.
Steingraber also talks to Bill about her arrest for illegally blocking the driveway of a natural gas company as part of a protest against the controversial energy extraction process known as fracking. Steingraber went to jail on April 17, the day after this conversation was taped. She is currently serving a 15-day sentence.
What more can I say? These polluters need to shut the frack up and stop fracking!
Cartoon:
7 Responses to “Open Thread–4/20/2013”
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3:44 I'm sure I'll get stomped on by Lynn with her size 9 paws or crunched by Critter.
3:15 crunch?
3:52 Crunched and mashed! Zut!!!
I hope your COPD flare-up eases up soon.
NBC ~ Correct me if I'm wrong. I thought the Patriot Act allowed questioning of a suspected terrorist for an indeterminate amount of time without a Miranda warning.
Think Progress ~ Abolish the Electoral College!
Bill Moyers Journal ~ Kudos to Sandra Steingraber!
Cartoon ~ And, another seige in Boston ended last night.
On another note. I received an email from Sign On and wanted to pass it along. " While grieving the death of her mother, 19-year teaching veteran Carla Hale was called into her principal's office at Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus, Ohio.
Once there, Carla was told she was being terminated for violating Diocesan Policy 45116.1, the code barring teachers from violating "moral laws."
When pushed for specifics, administrators told Carla an anonymous parent had complained after seeing Carla's long-time partner, Julie, mentioned in her mother's obituary. Carla Hale was a much loved and well-respected teacher at Bishop Watterson. Please sign our petition to the Diocese of Columbus asking them to comply with a Columbus ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and immediately reinstate her as a teacher." Click here to add your name:
http://signon.org/sign/diocese-of-columbus-reinstat?mailing_id=11523&source=s.icn.em.cr&r_by=5545260
It seems that there is a double standard in the Roman Catholic Church — if you are "anointed" as a priest it is ok to sexually abuse children (and others), but if you are a member of the LGBT community and in a long term committed relationship, then no thanks. You can't tell me that over her 19 year career with the school, Hale's sexual orientation has not come up before? Or was it that the school recognised her good work and didn't make an issue of it. This came as a result of a complaint by a parent, not the school. It seems as though the school administration lacks the moral fiber to stand up to a bigoted parent and challenge their discrimination. Also seems like bullying by the parent.
Either way, the school was wrong to sack Hale and should re-instate her forthwith with no loss of benefits or pay, and there should be a letter of apology sent to her, ideally with a cheque for pain and suffering. Petition gladly signed.
I hope you are well soon, Tom.
Puzzle — 3:52 Crunched and mashed! Zut!!!
NBC — My understanding from the news is that the suspect, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, took the oath of citizenship just over a year ago. As an American citizen, is he not entitled to the protections of the constitution, which includes his miranda rights? And one has to know that if Republican/Teabaggers are calling for no miranda rights and military trial, the opposite should be done. Does any of the NDAA apply here?
Think Progress — One of the things that I have noticed and commented on in US elections is the inequality amongst voters — different states, different rules. And that applies through everything to do with federal elections. I hope Oregon's plan catches on with a lot more states so the boot can be given to the thievery propogated by the Republican/Teabaggers.
Bill Moyers Journal — Sandra Steingraber is a very interesting woman and extremely knowledgable and principled. Kudos.
Cartoon — How appropriate! In 1775 a seige was begun. In 2013, a seige was ended!