I’m writing for tomorrow and starting early to get the jump on a very busy day. Tasks include a trip to the barber shop, putting the files I’ll need to take to Salem on a DVD, firing up the notebook computer long enough to make sure it’s fully charged and updated for my prison volunteer trip, and cleaning the kitchen area thoroughly, so as not to leave a mess behind. Day 43.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:18 (average 6:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Reuters: The U.S. power sector must cut carbon dioxide emissions 30 percent by 2030 from 2005 levels, according to federal regulations unveiled on Monday that form the centerpiece of the Obama administration's climate change strategy.
The Environmental Protection Agency's proposal is one of the most significant environmental rules proposed by the United States, and could transform the power sector, which relies on coal for nearly 38 percent of electricity.
Gina McCarthy, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said on Monday that between 2020 and 2030, the U.S. amount of carbon dioxide the proposal would reduce under the plan would be more than double the carbon pollution from the entire power sector in 2012.
Imagine what could have been done with cooperation from Congress.
From Robert Reich: I spent several days in New York last week with students from around the country who were preparing to head into the heartland to help organize Walmart workers for better jobs and wages. (Full familial disclosure: My son Adam is one of the leaders.)
Almost exactly fifty years ago a similar group headed to Mississippi to register African-Americans to vote, in what came to be known as Freedom Summer.
Call this Freedom Summer II.
The current struggle of low-wage workers across America echoes the civil rights struggle of the 1960s.
Today, as then, a group of Americans is denied the dignity of decent wages and working conditions. Today, just as then, powerful forces are threatening and intimidating vulnerable people for exercising their legal rights. Today, just like fifty years ago, people who have been treated as voiceless and disposable are standing up and demanding change.
Like Robert Reich, The Reich on the left, not the Republican Reich on the right, I fully support Freedom Summer II.
From Huffington Post: Asked whether she would be running for president in 2016, Elizabeth Warren framed the coming debate as one of defining values at a critical moment. She stopped short of committing to or rejecting a White House bid, and her answer will likely further speculation about a Warren candidacy.
In an interview with The Huffington Post that will air in full on Monday evening, Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, was asked about the promise in her book that she was "fiercely determined to do everything I can to help us once again be the America that creates opportunities for anyone who works hard and plays by the rules." She was also questioned about her warning that "we're running out of time."
I do not think Warren will run for the Democratic nomination, but if she does, she will have my full support.
Cartoon:
17 Responses to “Open Thread–6/3/2014”
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Hope your kitty barbers went well – I don't think that kitty in the chair in the cartoon knew what might happen – hope he was alright!
I hope you enjoy your two days training TC and that you meet like minds there – and that you all benefit from the whole experience.
Reuters – I hope the new CO2 limits succeed and make jobs as well as reduce pollution.
Robert Reich – good for him and his family and all like them – I am so glad a group of people is helping Walmart workers, they need help – as does every American taxpayer whose taxes are paying the wages that Walmart refuse to pay in order to rake in billions instead!
Elizabeth Warren – for all America's awful Reich Wing politicians, you do have a few, like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley et al who are like a beacon of light – I can't think of any over here who are like them, sadly. If she ran for President she'd be so good.
5:43 I got burned on this puzzle.
4:14 Well, that's a little better. I hope this time is aloe enough one to win.
4:25 Seems it was Jerry!
Crunched!
5:56 – Puzzle
Reuters ~ I'm glad our President finally went against Congress and did something about carbon emissions. Did he go far enough? Probably not. but, given the circumstances he did what he could.
Robert Reich ~ Good for the Reich family. It looks like Dad taught his son well. The situations across the country remind me of the 1960s in more ways than one. We fought then against Viet Nam and for Civil Rights. Now we are still fighting for Rights of workers, voters and women to name a few. Hopefully, success will come soon.
HuffPo~ I would also support her if she decided to run. I don't think she will though.
Cartoon ~ Don't trim those whiskers! Kitty needs them.
6:29 Couldn't even beat thr calendar (not that the average does, of course)
Reuters – Imagine how fast the regs can be gutted – or just not enforced – with assistance from the current Congress and Congresses like it. VOTE!
Reich – I wish them the very best, and hope none of them gets murdered, as, alas, happened in Freedom Summer I. (I'll bet he is so proud of Adam there are no words to describe it.)
HuffPo – I agree that Elizabeth Warren woul be beyond wonderful if she ran. Alas, the point isn't running, the point is getting elected. The current political climate scares the bejeezuz out of me. I haven't even figured out whether it is a good or a bad thing that 24 Republican Senators will be runnung for re-election in 2018 as opposed to only 10 Democrats. It is certainly a good thing that Elizabeth is concerned about the country, and whatever decision she makes will be made on that basis, not on personal aggrandizement.
Cartoon – Well, that's the truth. Do you have to worry about fleas in western Oregon?
They can be quite severe here.
Ouch! Sorry! I've never lived anywhere (at least not with an indoor-outdoor pet) they were a problem and I feel for people who do.
Time 4:31 I knew it would be hard when it took TC more than four minutes.
Once more boys and girls this is not about what is good for the country or in this case the world. This about patronizing the freakin dirty coal companies. This is not about jobs, those currently working for coal would simply be retrained in the sustainable energy companies. This about the heavily monied and heavy fist of the Coal companies and their long held ownership over Congress. Just cut all coal by 2020 and no discussion. That's nearly six years to make the needed conversions to using ZERO coal products. We could do this if we had the will and if the politics of money were eliminated. Between solar and wind the US is far more fortunate than many countries and can use both. Which would also eliminate the need for natural gas.
Zing – two dirty energies in one shot!
I sure do want these plans to increase wages and establish good worker's unions to become more than talk. I am not in favor of the $10.00 minimum wage. The idea is to get wages out of the basement and allow people to work one job and pay their bills. If they are working a forty hour week they still come in under the poverty level. We can do better and we must do better.
I really want Elizabeth Warren to keep working for us in the Senate, we do need her voice. Should she decide to run, then baby I'm on that train. Toot – Toot! 😉
Happy hair day, TC.
I hope you like your new barber, and get your certification okayed at the prison. I don't know how you manage all your tasks. I couldn't keep up with you.
"Imagine what could have been done with cooperation from Congress: Yes indeed, on so many levels and with so many efforts to improve our lives.
Reich: He has to be proud of his son for being a leader in this movement. Wal Mart workers are there because it usually is the only job available, not that they want it. In our rural area they drove out all the local businesses, and are fast killing K Mart. No competition allows them to treat their employees as poorly as they choose. I am so happy there is a movement to correct this.
I don't believe Warren will run for President, either, but if she does, I will support her.
Cartoon: Poor kitty.
Puzzle — 4:25 Seems it was Jerry!
Reuters — This is good! But what happens if the Democrats, God forbid, lose the White House? Does this being done by executive order then become that much easier to over turn?
Robert Reich — It is plain to see that if you are the average citizen, you'll not get much if any help from your House representative or senator, especially if that person happens to be a Republicanus/Teabagger. It will take grassroots organisation and demands, solidarity, to move that mountain called corpoarte rape. The motto of the French Revolution seems appropriate here — Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood)!
Huffington Post — Whether running for the White House or staying in the Senate, I think Warren will go where she thinks she can do the most good, be the most effective. I believe her sincerity when she talks about the average American citizen having a fighting chance. You sure won't get that from a Republicanus/Teabagger.
Cartoon — WOW! Good looking puddy tat, fur and all!
Anything done by executive order can be undone by a subsequent executive order. I
just got hedr new book in audiobook form. She reads it herself.
Thanks all. I'm frushing as I prepare to leave,
Elizabeth Warren is so outstanding and I just can't say enough about her… We need more smart women like her..