Yesterday threw me off my schedule. After I posted the Open Thread, I went to sleep, but was quickly awakened by a call from a social worker who may have a lead on a new place for me. She referred me to another social worker, whom she said knew I would call. I had to leave voice mail. I waited for him to call, and felt too excited to sleep. I finally went back to sleep yesterday evening, but the telephone woke me up. Half-asleep, I thought it might be the social worker, but it was a wrong number from a collection agency who did not want to believe that I have had my number for over ten years, and I am not the guy whose pound of flesh he wanted. Grrr! I went ahead and started my research early, because it’s too hot and I’m too irritated to sleep. I even have an extra article, but this Open Thread is the major post today.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:33 (average 5:14). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Think Progress: The College Republican National Committee released a report on Monday outlining the major challenges facing the GOP as it seeks to rebrand and redefine itself in the aftermath of the 2012 election. The survey criticizes the party’s singular focus on “big government” and “tax cuts” and calls on Republicans to become more tolerant and open on issues like same-sex marriage and women’s reproductive health.
But a close reading of the 90-page report finds that young people have strong disagreements with Republican policies — including large parts of former candidate’s Mitt Romney’s platform — and are far more likely to support progressive positions. Here are 11 examples:…
Click through for the 11 examples. This Republican survey describes a complete antithesis of everything the Republican party represents.
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Note how the Republican ducked Chris’ questions attempting to spin (spell that l-i-e) their own poll results to fit InsaniTEA.
From Me: When the IRS scandal broke, the first thing I did was to read the statute. I was most surprised to discover that the regulation people at the IRS violated and the language of the statute itself are completely unrelated.
Here’s Lawrence O’Donnell last night.
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When I’m wrong, I say so. Therefore I suppose I should also pat myself on the back, when I’m especially right, because I did what all the major TV journalists, save one, have still failed to do. I analyzed the scandal accurately, because I read the law.
From MSNBC: Rachel Maddow reflected on the career of Frank Lautenberg.
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RIP Frank, and thank you for a job well done. I’d hate to be in Christie’s shoes right now. If he does the right thing, he will lose the rabid Republican base, and all chance at the 2016 Republican nomination. If he doesn’t, he will lose the support of NJ Democrats in 2014, possibly costing him the governorship.
Cartoon:
14 Responses to “Open Thread–6/4/2013”
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At first I was bewildered by Rachel Maddow talking about Milicent Hammond Fenwick (ancient Repuglicon stinking rich Grande Dame) at some length as she was around some decades ago. Then it turned out that Frank Lautenberg defeated her when running for Senate – and he came from behind in the polls and defeated the rich Grande Dame resoundingly! Well done!
At 14 mins this is well worth sitting up and paying a bit more attention – Chris Christie has a number of difficult bills to sign – one of which says that people on the 'no fly list' could be stopped from buying explosives and 50 calibre rifles that can shoot a plane out of the sky from a mile! (It is things like this that make foreigners worried about the safety of their sane Democratic friends in America – it seems quite insane that people on a terrorism watch list should be allowed access to such things!). Rachel's conclusion about the gun laws, Cory Booker and the person to fill Frank Lautenberg's seat till the special election seem sound – if Chris Christie manages this well he will become a Repuglicon to be feared by all Democrats if he can get support from his own side to run for President in 2016. Mind you – given the demented way the Repuglicons work, Chris Christie would be better off crossing the aisle (if you share such phrases in America) and becoming a Democrat – as the rest of his party seem to be lip-diddling loons!
She's the best!
Excellent observations!
3:56 I'm not as rusty as that old equipment but are the Size 9s and the Critter better oiled than me?
3:50 I'm greased with coconut oil — lots of good stuff for these old bones!
4:01 I ran out of oil at the end and seized up .
Bigfooted and last!
You had quite the day yesterday. I hope today is much better. Good luck with te apartment hunting!
Thing Progress ~ The RepublicanTs can "rebrand and redefine itself" as much and as many times as it wants. It won't change how people view them unless they actually change their actions. That would involve an awful lot of glossectomies.
From Me ~ "My gut" tells me they should check their facts once in a while instead of relying on their "guts". BTW- Lawrence's specialty when he worked in Congress as an aide was Tax Law.
MSNBC ~ RIP< Frank. What will Chris Christie do? Will he appoit a Democrat like the people of his state elected or make his "puppet masters" happy and appoint a RepublicanT? I am looking forward to his hard choice. He doesn't seem to follow any pattern.
Cartoon ~ Definitely a RED state!
Thanks!
Amen.
I know.
See today's Open Thread.
Agree.
Puzzle — 3:50 I'm greased with coconut oil — lots of good stuff for these old bones!
Think Progress — As Chris says, the Republican/Teabaggers don't need a rebranding, they need to be gutted! I wonder though, if these young people are so against the current Republican/Teabagger platform and shenanigans, why do they still identify as Republicans? Is it because that is how their parents vote?
And yes, the young lady certainly had a spin on the results.
Me — I can't disagree with you. This was part of my response to the first article on 23/05/13
I look up additional information through Google as well, because somewhere in the midst of it all, is the truth. Perhaps there should be a literacy and logic test before someone is put in a position like Issa's. . . and maybe even journalists.
MSNBC — Looks like a damned if he does and damned if he doesn't kind of situation for Christie. Glad it isn't me!
Cartoon — Of course China is a red state, and of course there was no pun intended, right?
Winner!
Amen.
And a fine comment that was!
See today's Open Thread.
Don't you love it when pun and truth intersect?
I predict:
1. The republican party will die a slow and painful death of old age and stale ideas.
2. The Democratic Party will be come the more conservative party.
3. A new progressive party will break off from the Democratic Party. It will be the party of the 21st century.
You could be quoting me.
I am still a Democrat because I cannot abide the Republicans. Right now, I am not too happy with the Democrats,either. No guts would be a better name for our party.
Sadly there are too many blue dogs and yellow dogs. We need an ALL CAT party! 😀