I’m writing for tomorrow, day 75. I’m still pretty pooped after yesterday’s cleaning jag, but I can rest while meditating on the Ellipsoid Orb, during this High Holy Day. I think I’ll cheer for the Packers to get back at the damn Seachickens for all the Broncos games that weren’t televised here because of them.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 2:53 (average 4:34). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From NY Times: President Obama will use his State of the Union address to call on Congress to raise taxes and fees on the wealthiest taxpayers and the largest financial firms to finance an array of tax cuts for the middle class, pressing to reshape the tax code to help working families, administration officials said on Saturday.
This has about as much chance to pass, as there is that Agent Orange will give up his Jameson. What Obama is doing here is providing an example of how to act like Democrats for Democrats.
From Kansas City Star: …Instead [of telling the hard truth], in the governor’s [Brownback] “it’s always sunny in Kansas” scenario:
▪ Tax cuts are not leading to massive revenue shortfalls (but they are).
▪ The state should continue its march to a zero income tax (never mind those pesky revenue woes).
▪ The tax cuts are leading to tremendous private-sector job growth (but most states are actually growing at faster rates than Kansas).
▪ Funding for K-12 schools is a major cause of Kansas’ budget problems (but it’s really not).
▪ The school funding formula must be radically changed (but the governor can’t tell you how).
▪ Giving him near-control of the State Supreme Court appointments would be a great idea (yikes).
▪ God is helping guide him and other elected leaders as he helps Kansas through this mess (how delusional).
The "god", who is guiding Brownback in this is Supply-side Jesus, the polar opposite of the real Jesus. Supply-side Jesus is an invention of the Republican base to justify their hatred, greed, lies, and lust for power. If Supply-side Jesus were real, he would have cloven hooves and carry a pitchfork. The people who deserve this most of all are the Democrats, who stayed home on election day.
From Washington Post: Sen. Elizabeth Warren has an explanation for the singular nature of her power.
“I’ll always be an outsider. That’s how I understand the world,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in an interview. “There’s a real benefit to being clear about this. I know why I’m here. I think about this every morning before I open my eyes, and I’m still thinking about it every night when I go to sleep.”
Being the target of that kind of focus can be an excruciating experience — the freshest case in point being investment banker Antonio Weiss, whom President Obama put forward last year as his nominee for Treasury undersecretary for domestic finance.
Initially seen as a highly credentialed and noncontroversial pick for a low-profile post, Weiss found himself up against a storm of opposition, led by Warren, who said he was yet another example of Wall Street cronyism within the Obama administration.
On Monday, Weiss wrote a letter to the president asking that his name be taken out of consideration.
The tussle sent yet another signal, maybe the clearest yet, of how Warren intends to wield her growing clout. It showed that she and her brand of populism are forces to be reckoned with — not only by Obama and his team, but also by the Democrats’ likely 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton. [emphasis added]
What can I say? I 
Liz!!
Cartoon:
18 Responses to “Open Thread–1/19/2015”
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Kansas City Star – I do agree! Washington Post – hooray for Liz!
Thanks TC!
2:39 Pretty prickly picture.
2:58 I guess no succulents for me! Those spikes will make good toothpicks Patty!
NY Times ~ I'm looking forward to his speech Tuesday night. I wonder who will be the first TeaPublicanT to yell something derisive during the State of the Union.
Kansas City Star ~ I think I read something about this fool and his train-wreck fiscal policies every day. It's getting worse too.
Washington Post ~ I Liz too!
Cartoon ~
Emoticons don't show up.
Washington Post ~ I love Liz too!
Cartoon ~ Thumbs down to the Republican KKK.
4:15 average unchanged. Very pretty, but I don't see them replacing roses.
NY Times – Well, he won his first Presidential election acting like a Democrat. He does know how. I would surely have liked to see more Democrats acting like Democrats over the last six years. I can hardly wait to read the reponse (I can't watch with no one to hold my hand). Incidentally (thanks JL) I looked up No Labels and read an article in Slate. I can't say I was terribly impressed.
Kansas City Star – I have to assume if they can maintain a print as well as a digital version in Kansas at the border of Missouri (or in Missouri at the border of Kansas) they have to have a more-conservative-than-mainstream editorial position generally, which makes this all the more scathing. Now watch the ad-hominem attacks start, though.
WaPo – "Her advisers and longtime allies say that she intends to keep the pressure on Clinton, to make sure the former secretary of state pays more than lip service to the issues that matter to Warren." And "She is training her heat vision not on the Oval Office, but two doors down the hall on the Cabinet Room. Warren wants to make sure that Wall Street-aligned figures who have shaped the Clinton and Obama brand of economic policy for the past quarter-century, going back to former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, are not the only ones at the oval mahogany table." And not only that, but als "In other words, there is an argument to be made that Warren could get more of what she wants by holding herself outside the 2016 fray than by jumping in." Yes. Yes. Yes.
Cartoon – Ain't that the truth!
Wapo: and that is why we need her in the senate right now.
Someone said the Seahawks come from behind finish reminded them of the 49ers.
I'm glad Obama intends to convey that message.
I hope that alternate universe Brownback sees crashes like he's done to their economy so he can again connect with reality.
Warren does seem to grasp how she can truly make a difference for us all–and why she is not on the bandwagon for her to run for president. Also, she is not afraid to own her own statements like those in your cartoon who hide their identities (should be in shame yet I doubt it).
My New England Patriots kicked a$$… ♥
She is the advocate for the working poor Americans… 😆
HI TC.
Cartoon.You really hit that nail firmly on the head.Congrats.
TC Hope that all is well with you. (and felines)
Oh, the agony of defeat for the Packers! They had them all the way until the 4th quarter! Then all passes were caught by the Seachickens and runs were pickin them up and puttin them down. Too bad they didn’t have to face the wily Broncos! The Great Peyton may have to retire! He is getting a little long in the tooth!
Hopefully, Mr. President will show all the no-shows at the November elections what they “didn’t vote” for is what we have been wanting all along! He has a wealth of accomplishments to tell the republikkkans about this year!
Brownie has “a lot of splainin to do!” What is HE gonna tell his state when it comes to the “State of the State” address!
Ms. Warren needs to stay with the job she has. She can’t hold two jobs at once!
Living "next door" to Kansas, it's always been my impression that Brownback really has NO problem with taxes. It's just that they should NOT be on the wealthy. But he has NO problem with letting the poor and middle class bear the burden
NY Times:
Who is going to be sitting behind Obama while he is delivering The State of the Union address. Watch their faces while Obama delivers his speech. Should prove interesting especially if that person is of the GOP/TP party. The tax laws need a complete overhaul particularly on the corporations.. There won't be any outbursts from the gallery this year as the GOP/TP made themselves look like fools the last time it happened.
Obama should take care of the most important item, the American people.
Kansas City Star:
Governor’s Brownback (R-KS) economic policies are ruining the state of Kansas. He was, unfortunately, reelected in 2014 by one of the reddest states of USA. There were many moderate republicans who voted for the Democratic candidate because of Brownback's state economic policies.
Yes, the Demos stayed home and did not vote. Kansas got exactly what they deserved. A delusional governor who appears to suffer from a preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance. Who in their right mind would move into a state where the schools, colleges are becoming so bad for the lack of funding and jobs. Koch Bros. have their corporate headquarters in Wichita, Kansas as one the major main reasons why taxes may not be levied upon the filthy rich.
Washington Post:
Hillary Clinton needs to pay close and special attention to Elizabeth Warren before entering in the 2016 Presidential race. Hilary needs to divest a number of corporations she has accumulated over the years including those of Wall St. people and bankers and yes, Monsanto & WalMart.
As much as I would love to see Elizabeth as a President, I believe she can do more in her role and capacity as a Senator.
Cartoon:
Really dislike the white-sheeted, pointed heads and the flag that they carry. They all need to go away permanently, retired. They and the flag really belong in Hades. Yep, racism is alive and well, kicking up a storm and can be seen, promoted on faux noise on a daily basis.
Ny Times: I wish these would all pass, but we all know they won't. Democrats have forgotten how to act like democrats, they are all embroiled in Koch fever. I wish he had done some of these things sooner.
Kansas City Star: I feel so hopeless when I read about these Republican governors who are destroying the states they are supposed to lead. You are right, TC, they are supply side Christians, but they spew their opinions and get so much support from Fox news that the uninformed believe them. I don't agree with everything our governor does, but at least he is not one of those.
Washington Post: I wish we had 100 more like her!
Cartoon: Sad but true.
Puzzle — 2:58 I guess no succulents for me! Those spikes will make good toothpicks Patty!
NY Times — "This has about as much chance to pass, as there is that Agent Orange will give up his Jameson." Ain't that the truth! I've hearing the Oxfam report all day. By next year, the 1% will own more than 50% of the world's wealth, while the 99% will own the rest. The report in the HuffPost gives more details. In one report, Oxfam was saying that the wealthy 1% need to 'belly up to the bar' (if they can get by Boehner!) and pay their fair share. Forty per cent of the millionaires plus live in the US.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/19/oxfam-rich-1-poorest-99_n_6498890.html
Kansas City Star — As I recall, Brownbackistan, aka Kansas, was pretty much bankrupt under Herr Brownshirt. So, I am curious how he plans to pay police etc, the footsoldiers of the state. And education? The wealthy can send their kids to charter schools or private schools, and the 99% . . . well they don't need an education to work in the sweat shops or the fields. Why the people continue to support an asshole like him is beyond me!
Washington Post — Anyone who has not read her book "A Fighting Chance" reallt needs to read it, I mean really, really needs to read it! It certainly shows the reader where she gets her fight, singlemindedness, and chutzpah! I loves me some Lizzie! Good news on Weiss. Maybe Obama will consult her next time before putting forth a name.
Cartoon — I wonder if I walked up to these guys, tell them that white is out of season after Labour Day, and then give them big hugs, would they be tempted to change their errant ways. That is the non violent approach isn't it?
Thanks all. Pit stop. Overslept.