I’m writing for tomorrow and running late, because I overslept. Because we’re almost out of year I contributed to the campaigns of my Congressman, Earl Blumenauer, and my Senator, Jeff Merkley. I urge all to support the progressives that represent them, because progressives are the ones Republi9cans most want to destroy.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:17 (average 5:12). To do it, click here, Hoe did you do?
Fantasy Football Finals:
Here are the final playoff standings for our fantasy football league, Lefty Blog Friends.
Congrats to all!
Judy had informed me that she won’t be playing next year. If you let me know very quickly, I think I can get you plugged in in advance. It really is a lot of fun.
Short Takes:
From Upworthy: This time of year, the word "family" gets thrown around a whole lot, which can leave a lot of people who don’t have it feeling left out. Imagine how much kinder the world could be if we extend the definition to make it a little more inclusive.
I’m thankful for my family… all of you.
From NY Times: Democratic Party leaders, bruised by months of attacks on the new health care program, have found an issue they believe can lift their fortunes both locally and nationally in 2014: an increase in the minimum wage.
The effort to take advantage of growing populism among voters in both parties is being coordinated by officials from the White House, labor unions and liberal advocacy groups.
In a series of strategy meetings and conference calls among them in recent weeks, they have focused on two levels: an effort to raise the federal minimum wage, which will be pushed by President Obama and congressional leaders, and a campaign to place state-level minimum wage proposals on the ballot in states with hotly contested congressional races.
With polls showing widespread support for an increase in the $7.25-per-hour federal minimum wage among both Republican and Democratic voters, top Democrats see not only a wedge issue that they hope will place Republican candidates in a difficult position, but also a tool with which to enlarge the electorate in a nonpresidential election, when turnout among minorities and youths typically drops off.
I consider this an excellent strategy, because it gives voters another reason to come to the polls and because Republican opposition demonstrates they they represent only the super rich and corporate criminals.
From TPM: Belief in evolution among Republicans has dropped more than 10 percentage points since 2009, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center.
Pew found that 43 percent of Republicans said they believed humans and other living beings had evolved over time, down from 54 percent in 2009. More (48 percent) said they believed all living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time.
That proves it. Republicans are DEvolving!
Cartoon:
18 Responses to “Open Thread–1/31/2013”
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5:00 I have never in my life finished a Rubik's cube until today. It was a very unimpressive time also. But, at least I finished it.
3:25 Well….
Wooo Hooo? Kitty Kitty?
Fantasy Football ~ It was a fun season. Thanks for inviting us to join, Tom. I was very surprised I did as well as I did. It was totally unexpected.
Upworthy ~ We are all members of the Family of Man and for that reason I am thankful for each and every one of you.
NY Times ~ I hope this can turn people around. Who can't relate to our increased difficulty providing for ourselves and families? Only the wealthy.
TPM ~ I guess that is proof of their regression.
Cartoon ~ Getting grayer every year.
Whether you go out or celebrate at home, have a Safe, Happy and Healthy New Year, one and all!
I'm lookintg forward to next year.
Well said.
As do I.
Yup!
That kitty has been replaced.
Amen!
4:21 At least I finished.
Giving – Sometimes it also pays to support Congresspeople who aren't yours. I gave a couple of bucks to Jim Mowrer, who is running to unseat Steve King. (If you sign the petition not to include the King Amendment in the Farm Bill, which is on Change.org, I do ask that you PLEASE NOT sign the one that pops up after from "Colorodans for Responsible Fracking." Need I say more?)
Family – My birth family was very functional with just my widowed Mom and me. I have seen far too many dysfunctional ones since to feel left out by the word. I've heard people claim their family puts the "fun" in dysfunctional, but I find more are putting the "shun" in.
Democrats: I agree, an excellent strategy, but it will not replace actively getting out the vote but must be used in conjunction with it.
TPM: Who says Republicans can't possibly move any farther right? WRONG!
Cartoon: Poor old man cat! I expect to see a kitten tomorrow.
Not bad at all!
I agree. Last year I gave to Bernie, Elizabeth, Wendy Davis, Alan Grayson and others.
There was little fun in my dusfunctional family.
Amen to that.
I expect you're right!
You beat my time by almost a minute. I think you had a great time.
I am thankful for my family which includes you all too… 😆
5:57 –
Thanks Richard!
Some New Year's Fireworks from around the world (at least I hope so, since I'm not sure how long the link holds up) …
http://www.frequency.com/video/full-show-2014-sydney-midnight-fireworks/141052476/-/5-7122
And a fun and interesting history of the dropping globe in Times Square …
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/12/history-new-years-eve-times-square-ball-drop.html
Thanks Nameless. The first died, but the second id worth the clicfdk!
Just a Holiday Note that I hope all of your celebrations have been as enjoyable as mine.
Got my Mom (97 y/o) and aunt (85 y/o) off this morning back to northern Illinois a bit early after six days of festivities – but they got an inch or more of snow coming tomorrow, so discretion is the better part of valor
Glad you had such an enjoyable visit with your Mom and Aunt.
I'm quite glad that you and your family had a festive time.
Fantasy football sounds like fun, but I am totally ignorant about football.
Upworthy: I loved this video. I have a very small family if you count only relatives, but I have a large family if you count friends I have met in my life. I am grateful for all of them and for the people I have met here who are becoming another part of my family.
NY Times: A brilliant strategy. Far more people want and need a raise in minimum wage than the Republicans realize. I watched the news tonight and they reported on the outstanding stock market results today. If there is so much money being made, why do we have so many people with no jobs or jobs that pay starvation wages?
TPM: That's what they get for listening only to faux news, the devolve.
If you want to learn, I'll sign you up.
Well said!
Agree.
LOL!