I’m still dealing with considerable pain, but not enough to shut me down completely. In addition, I’m rewarding myself for writing with a kitty sun nap, as our high will be over 70°.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:55 (average 5:05). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Upworthy: There’s something timeless about this American classic that America can’t seem to outgrow.
I first read To Kill a Mocking Bird in 1962. I was 12. I identified with it, because my father’s extreme racism was so offensive to me. It certainly has a message for today. Click through for five lessons that still apply.
From Daily Kos: Some nasty, malevolent wingnut took it on himself to spoil a kindergarten concert in Iowa by yelling "USA! English Only!" over and over when the concert was introduced first in English, and then by a Spanish translator to accommodate Spanish speaking toddlers and their parents.
This occurred last week at the local Performing Arts Center in Perry, Iowa, about 40 miles Northwest of Des Moines, during a concert by Perry Elementary School students. The incident was caught on a 12-second video and provided to the Perry News.
They may mot know who this shameful racist is, but we’ve seen this TEAbuggery so much, that what he is, is clear. He is a Republican.
From Crooks and Liars: Let’s hope Jon Stewart was right when he said this about the oral arguments we heard this week on gay marriage in front of the Supreme Court.
STEWART: Bottom line is this. If oral arguments have any impact on the final result, June’s going to be a nice time for a gay wedding.
Amen to that. Stewart started off his show this Wednesday by going after the wingnuts [sic] on the Supreme Court and former solicitor general of Michigan John Bursch, and the extremely lame arguments we heard from them against the issue of same-sex marriage.
Now that Republicans have had their oral arguments, it’s time for them to get their anal arguments. Hold the KY. 😉
Cartoon:
23 Responses to “Open Thread–4/30/2015”
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3:41 I beat TomCat, but the pretty flowers will make for some speedy ladies.
2:59 The yellow and bright pink compliments the purple, all freshly done this afternoon, in my hair!
3:27 I must say, Lynn, you're ooking lovely with those flowers in your hair.
Not between the toes?
This is a great page with unique graphics I've never seen done before mapping a timeline out on how fast Americans changed their minds on social issues like interracial marriage, prohibition, women's suffrage, abortion, same-sex marriage and marijuana.
Very interesting, unique and well done:
http://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-pace-of-social-change/
If the Republicanus/Teabaggerum had their way, they would repeal the 19th amendment, overturn Loving vs Virginia and Roe vs Wade, declare marriage equality illegal in all 50 states using a constitutional amendment, and make marijuana illegal in all 50 states. I wouldn't put it past them to return to prohibition, however I think that would spark a bloody revolution. Boehner would probably lead the revolution just to get his Jamesons back!
And that is just for starters! Intersting info Nameless!
Thanks!
hoping Stewart is correct
4:06 average still 5:05. Watch out for prickles.
Anyone who, like me, has ever read the comments on a Yahoo news article and found them painfully full of hateful misinformation, dog whistles, and personal insults will probably be, like me, surprised to hear that it was a Yahoo-published investigation which recently nailed the NRA for tax evasion. There is a petition to the IRS and FEC to further investigate (with a view towards prosecution) at http://csgv.org/action/tell-fec-irs-investigate-nra-violations-federal-law/
Upworthy – It is more than a book, it is a phenomenon. The movie – I heard in an interview on radio that the actress who played Scout called Gregory Peck "Atticus" until he died, that he became that much of a father figure for her even off screen, even after the movie was long over.
Daily Kos – English only. My God. That and science seem to be the areas in which ignorant people take the most pride in their ignorance. (The comments on site were fairly good on this.)
Crooks and Liars – IF. Aye, there's the rub. I do expect the court to toss liberals this as a puppy treat while they turn everything else into dogfighting – but with this court, you never know, you just never know.
Cartoon – Is that in the Julian or the Gregorian calendar?
Nancy W (Care2), It does indeed say something about our society that we must go to comedians for the truth – just maybe not what you think it does. Although the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and probably earlier though I don't right now have the time to research it, the "Fool" or comic could say anything to the King (or nobles) and get away with it – because he was a "Fool." And they usually weren't fools, but more on the wise side. That pretty much lasted as long as governments were absolute monarchies and oligarchies. It didn't start to change until the Age of Enlightenment, when the first modern democracies appeared. After that it started to be fashionable for "intelligent" people to be funny. So reverting to pre-Enlightenment conditions says that we again have oligarchy and dictatorial monarchy – just without the name.
Now if someone could just tell me what kind of humor this is – it was on my caller ID this afternoon – no message was left:
ILLEGAL SCAM
949-267-2536
4:47pm 4/30
Well, today I got my first "You'll be ARRESTED if you don't call back this number: 804.818-6401 …"
First of all, 804 is a Richmond, VA area code – I've never been in Richmond, VA
Second, I Googled it, and threats of arrest were very common
Third, I think I'd look DAMN GOOD doing a "perp walk" – so, as Dubya infamously said, "Bring it on!"
And yes, I DID report to the "Do Not Call Registry" – not that I have a lot of hope it'll make a difference, but it was easy-peasy to do.
I just had to laugh at this – it was after getting a call a day three days in a row from IRS scammers (2 robocalls and one I think maybe live) showing up with unknown names on the caller ID and threatening legal action (incidentally these should be reported to TIGTA). I thought it was damn nice of them to warn me in advance. I am not making it up. My guess would be non-English-speaking scam artists who got a transation from someone who didn't approve. If they ever find out what it means, I hope the person is safe.
I have had emails like this, and very alarming they are too to a compulsively law-abiding citizen – but (since I am housebound and have been for years) I found it more than a little odd that I was being accused of traffic offences in the Home Counties – so I looked it up on the net and there it was – yet another scam.
NRA for tax evasion petition signed. Anything to bring the NRA down is fine with me. lol.
Glad you had sunlight today, we had rain, AGAIN. This rain today broke the record for rainfall in our area.
UPworthy: That is one of my favorite books and I loved the movie. I shared this on FB, the points made in the article are worthy of a second look.
Daily Kos: How sad! Those children were deprived of the joy from doing their play by a racist idiot.
Crooks AND Liars: I hope Jon is right. A very good friend of mine has been in a committed relationship for fifteen years. They are a couple in every way, but are denied the benefit of marriage. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. I have referred to my sister before, the last ten years she taught, half the kids had two or more step moms and dads, how is this promoting the sanctity of marriage? Will that be the next constitutional amendment? No divorces? Yet they scream about Sharia law!
Cartoon: Love it. Jesus, as I understand him, was the original liberal, and he would cast out all these neo Christians if he came back.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_code_949
Mostly southern Orange County, the historical home of the JB Society Joanne…
Priceless!
Another need shot at the NRA! https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/1160?tag=20150324sp3
Puzzle — 2:59 The yellow and bright pink compliments the purple, all freshly done this afternoon, in my hair!
Upworthy — I too was probably about 12 when I first read "To Kill a Mockingbird". In my case, I had a grandfather who was a bigot and the book imprinted on me. It has been a long time, and I think it is time to read it again.
Daily Kos — When I first saw this a day or two ago, I just shook my head in disgust. I love this one comment: "I do not speak, nor do I comprehend, assholian". When I was much younger, I wanted to speak every language in the world (except assholian!) so I could have meaningful communication with everyone. Well, I didn`t manage all languages, but I have English and French and I am learning Farsi (Persian). You should see the smiles I get when I speak what little Farsi I know. It`s about connecting with people . . . something this asshole doesn`t understand. Quite obviously he is a Republicanus/Teabaggerum!
Crooks and Liars — Like Dave C, I hope Jon Stewart is correct. However, I read that Kennedy thinks Americans need to think about this more, meaning he is leaning more to the no vote.
Cartoon — Almost 2,000 years ago and the human race has not learned much!
Petition, NRA! Daily Kos NRA Petition, in Lynn's comment box above signed.
Can't believe that killings by guns will surpass car accidents.
Another health issue: Death by Police!. Or should I say "murder" by police.
TY TC.
Take time to heal. The spring warmth is much more conducive to healing than our nasty winter. We had 74 yesterday and everything is turning green finally.
Upworthy ~ I began reading at an early age and the nuns who taught me were always encouraging me to read books well above my grade level. I am blessed to have been taught to love reading. I am a regular visitor to my small local library and each book teaches me something, no matter how small the lesson.
Daily Kos ~ The man is an ignorant fool. Why do jerks like him do these things in front of childre? No one is born racist. Idiots like him teach children to hate.
Crooks and Liars ~ From Jon Stewart's lips to SCROTUS' ears. Make it so.
Cartoon ~ They had to invent their own Jesus because they couldn't accept that he was a Liberal Socialist.
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015
WATCH: Baltimore Prosecutor Charges Six Police Officers, Calls Freddie Gray’s Death a "Homicide"
This is a detailed report given by the Baltimore Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby.
VIDEO, 16 minutes:
http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2015/5/1/watch_baltimore_prosecutor_charges_six_police
Thanks all. I'm rushing big time.