I’m writing this article in my motel room, for tomorrow, before leaving for today’s meetings. I’m thoroughly disappointed with Motel 6, and will tell more of that when I return home. Yesterday, we had an outside board meeting here, in which we discussed problems and goals. This afternoon the outside board will meet with the inside executive committee inside the prison. This evening we’ll have our normal meeting with around 100 of my guys.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:37 (average 5:01). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From NY Times: Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew warned Congress on Wednesday that the government would most likely exhaust its ability to borrow in late February, setting up yet another fiscal showdown with Republicans, and this time earlier than congressional leaders had anticipated.
In a letter to Speaker John A. Boehner and the other top three congressional leaders, Mr. Lew said a surge of February spending, mainly tax refunds for 2013, would leave the Treasury with little room to maneuver after the official debt limit is reached on Feb. 7.
The letter amounts to an early alarm bell, coming just weeks after Congress passed its first bipartisan budget and comprehensive spending bill in years. Those bills were supposed to serve as a cease-fire in the budget wars that have rattled the country and the economy since Republicans took control of the House in 2011.
No matter what Republicans threaten, there can be no compromise on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, ObamaCare, or any other part of the safety net, already stretched far too thin by Republican class warfare.
From Upworthy: Here Are Just 3 Of The *Smaller* Lies SeaWorld Makes Its Employees Tell Its Guests
I hope that, if more people learn about these lies, they will stop supporting this criminal abuse with their patronage.
From Daily Kos: Virginia has only just switched from extremist Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to Democrat Mark Herring, and already we’re seeing big changes:
Herring said his office will no longer defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriages.
"As attorney general, I cannot and will not defend laws that violate Virginians’ rights," Herring said. "The commonwealth will be siding with the plaintiffs in this case and with every other Virginia couple whose right to marry is being denied."
A win for justice!
Cartoon:
15 Responses to “Open Thread–1/24/2014”
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Puzzle — 3:18 Something fishy about this one!
3:23 Tricky fishy!
Puzzle — 3:18 Something fishy about this one!
NY Times — With the Republicanus/Teabaggers lurking in Washington and so many state capitals, there can only be a policy of "take no prisoners" if citizen centred government is to happen. Would not surprise me to see the Republicanus/Teabaggers try to deny tax refunds. . . . well except to corporations and the 1%.
Upworthy — Free Willy! Whales, indeed all wild animals, were never meant to live in captivity. Seems to me that the humans in "Planet of the Apes" didn't like living in captivity either. It is bad enough that we are too often held captive by our own foibles.
Daily Kos — Because I have been largely absent, I did not hear that the Virginia AG recount had gone to the Democrats. AMEN! I knew the governor's seat had changed which is so good for Virginia. Now maybe Virginia can shake itself loose from the unconstitutional abyss it was in. Good on Herring for not upholding the ban on same sex marriage. Now for the anti woman reproductive rights laws signed in by ex-governor Ultrasound!
Cartoon — You look like I feel right now. Threw out my neck somehow so haven't slept for 3 days, not that I didn't try.
Personal Note — I am hoping to walk the Alzheimer's Walk for Memories again this year which is 26 Jan 14. I probably won't be able to walk the whole 5 km because of reinjuring my back at the beginning of December, then clipping my tailbone on Catmas Day, and now screwing up my neck (and I didn't even try) making some movements more difficult and painful. Think good thoughts for no rain.
NY Times ~ Here we go again! Secretary Lew should have been harsher in his letter to the GOP and Tea Party leadership. I would love to be a fly on the wall at the House Republican annual planning retreat next week. Exactly how do you plan to destroy your own country and sleep at night?
Upworthy ~ I'm with Lynn. Free Willy! And all the rest of the captives. Rescue foundations like the manatee rescue in Homososa Springs, FL do good work but the animals there have been saved and live a much freer life thn those at sea world and in zoos.
Daily Kos ~ Kudos to AG Mark Herring! His thinking has matured since he was in the Virginia State Senate and voted against marriage equality in 2006. He admitted in an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep that he was wrong then.
Cartoon ~ It looks like our TomCat doesn't travel very well.
Enjoy your meetings. I hope they are productive.
4:29, missed it. Would whoever caught this fish please give it to that poor bedraggled TC so he can get a little nourishment? Better than letting it live at Sea World.
I think more Democrats have grasped the need for the safety net, and perhaps more importantly the need to expand it, which has changed the conversation some already. This does not mean I am not worried!
I got the email from Mark Herring and was so glad to have something in my inbox to make me smile. That recount was tense and the final margin stilll so small he would have an excuse to lie low. I am so proud of him for this statement. (Also, the Virgina State Senate now has a Democratic majority – Jennifer Wexler won her special election. Can we do this nationally?)
Amen that some civility is happening in the Virginia state senate! The only good Republicanus/Teabagger is an unemployed Republicanus/Teabagger!
Time: 3:48 – very fishy!
Unemployment insurance is the difference between having a place to live and eviction, providing a meal or going hungry. How the most basic needs of our citizens becomes a partisan issue is beyond logic. This is the duty of Congress, not another in a long line of issues to avoid. SNAP is used to feed children and the elderly, Social Security for many; now that their pensions are gone, is the only form of income they have. Why is this even being discussed beyond this compulsive need to privatize the entire country. This issue of privatizing is how we allowed the 2007 – 2008 crash. The government most definitely serves a function, and that function can not be replaced by private business. We already have too many examples of companies abusing the privilege.
Sorry TC – I was hoping this might be a fun trip for you.
I agree with you, Kit. All privatization does is enrich the all ready rich. It never helps those who really need help.
So the Repubs want to start another fight over the debt ceiling a couple of months after being humiliated on the last one — and at a time when they might delay people's tax refund checks? Idiots.
I'll be curious to know what was the issue with Motel 6. They've always been OK for me.
I hope you had a better day today and get home safely.
The NY Times: I am sure the Republicans will make lots of threats, but after the last shutdown many of fthem are in trouble at home. They need to remember that no matter how much money they get from lobbyists, they still have to get re elected.
Upworthy: I hope how soon more peopel DO quit supporting this criminal abuse. Sharing this one on Facebook.
Daily Kos: I hope Virginia continues to see more improvement. I was born there and still have family there, I would like them to live in a better environment.
Cartoon: This poor kitty looks sick of being on the road.
Thanks everyone.
Exhausted.
More in today's personal update.
Love your picture on the coach TC – though I hope you are looking a bit less frazzled by travel! Am praying hard that you will survive without another flu bug to flatten you – one's defences against germs get weaker the more exhausted one gets, as I'm sure you know…
I think TC needs mentoring from my Primo, Winnie and Annie. They travel very well in the car and are fresh as daisies when they arrive. All I have to do is supply a cat box — a cat's system waits for nobody or nothing! — and of course some water. They sleep or relax all the way.
Thanks TC 😉