I’m writing for tomorrow and feeling quite disappointed that I did not get to go to the prison for volunteer work. I had received no word from the prison, but was preparing as though I would get a last minute OK. I plugged in my last bottle of O2, and it was empty. That’s the second time my Oxygen provider has given me a dud. ARGH! Perhaps it’s for the best, as my COPD is flaring up severely, and I can use the rest. I’m still in minimal mode, but lets see if I can be a betting man today. (Late update: Tomorrow I shall have an extensive SOTU piece.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:25 (average 4:30). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: Rick Scott’s appointed a new finance chairman for his campaign last week: Miguel Fernandez. Congrats, Mike!
And Mike is feeling froggy: He just wrote a $1 million check to Scott’s re-election committee. And yes, that’s a preposterous amount from one person:
Before Fernandez, an individual had never given a check of $1 million or more to a candidate-aligned committee.
Now, who the hell donates that much money and doesn’t expect something in return?
Well, as it turns out, not Mike. Mr. Fernandez obviously expected something-and boy did he get a freaking FANTASTIC deal for his "donation". From the same article:
Two companies partly owned by the finance chairman of Gov. Rick Scott’s re-election campaign [Miguel Fernandez] have won contracts worth potentially billions to serve Medicaid patients in regions across the state.
…[emphasis original]
I’d bet a dollar against a donut that an investigation into Fernandez’ Medicaid activities would reveal copious fraud? Why? It’s because that’s the Republican thing to do!
From The New Yorker:
As President Obama prepares to deliver his State of the Union address tonight, congressional Republicans are promising to respond with what they call their grumpiest faces ever.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) confirmed that the G.O.P. have been practicing in front of mirrors for weeks in the hopes of creating just the right grouchy-face look for the TV cameras.
“Tonight, President Obama is going to lay out his vision for this country,” he said. “We owe it to the American people to look like someone just pissed in our cornflakes.”
For some, the task of looking crabby “is just another day at the office,” said Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), widely viewed by his fellow-Republicans as the reigning sourpuss in Congress.
I’d bet a dollar against a donut that Andy is spot-on!
From TPM: Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) on Tuesday admitted to reporters that Republicans’ options for winning concessions on the debt ceiling are limited due to President Barack Obama’s insistence on raising it without strings attached.
"I don’t think Republicans want to default on our debt. Secondly, the president’s made clear he doesn’t want to negotiate," he said, going on to lament that Obama won’t agree to further spending cuts without new taxes in the mix.
I’d bet a dollar against a donut that Agent Orange will take heat from the Bagger Brigade that want to shut down the government. There is no question that Republicans will cave-in. The question is, how much damage will they do to our economy first?
Cartoon:
Which one? take your pick!
11 Responses to “Open Thread–1/29/2013”
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3:10 I didn't get all tied up in the rope like I thought I would.
3:30 I got tangled in the rope.
3:56 Someone tied my feet up! Argh!!!
Daily Kos ~ Whee are all the journalists? I know there are still some left in our country. Rachel? Ed? Anyone?
New Yorker ~ Speaker Bonehead looked like someone stole his last bottle of Merlot throughout most of the speech. Towards he end, you could tell he couldn't wait to get his lips around of bottle of anything alcoholic.
TPM ~ I hope the damage is minimal or non-existent.
Cartoon ~ Good one!
Too bad your O2 tanks don't have a pressure guage on them.
4:07 Got tied up
Kos – Well, of course. Rick Scott is a poster child for corruption, even more than most Republicans, and yes, I do realize that's saying something.
Andy – Did you see where he said having to sit behind Obama and not react makes SOTU day the hardest day of the year? The email that included the quote went on to say that if tht's the hardest thing he has to do, he is really out of touch; however, we would be more than happy to relieve him of his arduous labor and let him spend the next SOTU on his couch.
TPM – Unfortunately, as much as they can.
Cartoon – All of the above
O2 – My concentrator doesn't use tanks, it pulls from the air, which may be why it is louder than yours. I'm so sorry you got shorted. That is a real bummer.
You should look into other O2 providers. I've been on O2 for close to a decade and I've never had that happen. Although I've got a concentrator at home, they are great unless you have to pay an electricity bill, I still have used hundreds of bottles of the stuff in that time.
Delivering an empty O2 tank is pretty egregious. Hope you found a solution.
Pres. Obama gave a masterful SOTU last night.
Rep. McMorris Rogers rebuttal response read as if it was aimed at a bunch of first graders. She was obviously addressing the Repubican base – but even then she probably talked over their heads.
I am sorry you didn't get to go to the prison to see your guys. Pretty crappy of the prison not to contact you.
I agree with Nameless, you should find another provider for your O2. That is sloppy, delivering an empty tank.
Daily Kos: I hope Scott isn't reelected in Florida. Their voters seem much like Kentucky's though, Mitch keeps getting put back in office. He has a real threat this year though, Grimes is running even with him all ready. I can hope!
The New Yorker: Love Andy. Boehner always looks constipated during the SOTU address.
Love the graphic. Rachel Maddow really tore into the Rep from Kansas tonight about the tweets he ade during the address. Love her.
fflorida.l
Thanks everyone.
Lynn, that must have talen a LOT of rope. 😉
Jerry, the pressure guage os on the flow regulator.
See today's Open thread for more about my Oxygen.
So sorry you didn't get to work with your guys – and they should have told you! Grrr! I don't think your Oxygen supplier was sloppy – I think that was very nearly criminal – that is appalling – and it has happened twice now! Shouldn't they know whether a tank is empty or not by its weight – this is a liquified gas after all, it does have a discernable weight! Am praying hard about your COPD, TC…
Fernandez is not alone in giving some money (albeit a lot in this case) to gain massive amounts more – all governments seem to reciprocate like this the world over – including ours. It is disgusting and should be stopped.
Loved Andy's article!