Open Thread – 7/21/2010

Yesterday I kept up.  Today depends.  My COPD had been especially severe the last couple of days.  I may forego co-facilitating the therapy group for that reason, but I have a board meeting tomorrow and have work to do preparing for that.  Tomorrow is also volunteer day in the prison.   I just wish I had some energy.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:36.  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Fantasy Football:

To join our fantasy football league, click here.  When Lisa resisters, we will need two more players.

Short Takes:

From Alternet: The US Senate voted Tuesday to advance legislation restoring unemployment benefits to help some 2.5 Americans ahead of November mid-term elections shaped by deep voter anger at high joblessness.

Lawmakers voted 60-40 to end debate on the bill, as just two Republicans joined all but one of President Barack Obama’s Democratic allies to back the 34-billion-dollar bill to help the long-term unemployed.

Now Reid can finally schedule a straight up or down vote.  I expect Republicans to vote for it in mass, since passage is assured, just so they can lie that they supported it.

From Common Dreams: A new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) shows that with a job growth path comparable to the last recovery, the economy will not recover all of the jobs lost in the recession until March 2014. Assuming the trend rate of growth in the labor force, the unemployment rate will not fall back to the pre-recession level until April 2021.

This demonstrates the desperate need for a massive federal jobs program.

Hat Tip Daily Kos: a new DNC ad.

Just what I’ve been saying all along.

Cartoon: from Cagle.com

Happy hump day!