The weather remains somewhat hot but excessively humid today and tomorrow. Then Portland will be back under an Excessive Heat Warning from Thursday through Sunday, so it looks like no relief in the Cat Box. The big problem is that, as tired as I feel, it’s too damn sticky to get comfortable to sleep.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:31 (average 4:40). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Fantasy Football Update:
Lefty Blog Friends players, our live draft is this Saturday at 1 PM PDT (2 PM MDT, 3 PM CDT, 4 PM EDT). Feel free to contact me with questions.
Short Takes:
From USA Today: Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is consolidating the support of the Millennials who fueled Bernie Sanders’ challenge during the primaries, a new USA TODAY/Rock the Vote Poll finds, as Republican Donald Trump heads toward the worst showing among younger voters in modern American history.
The survey shows Clinton trouncing Trump 56%-20% among those under 35, though she has failed so far to generate the levels of enthusiasm Sanders did — and the high turn-out that can signal — among Millennials.
"I get worried about the bigoted element of our country, and that they will stick with Trump regardless of his stupidity," says Elizabeth Krueger, 31, an actress in New York City who was among those surveyed. She supports Clinton. "She is not going to be a perfect president, but who would be?"
It’s good to see that most of the Bernie supporters are separating themselves from those on the left who think our nation is better served by their hatred of Hillary than by their support for Bernie.
From The New Yorker: Donald J. Trump lashed out at a new target on Monday, blaming his bad poll numbers on the existence of the numerical system.
In sometimes rambling remarks at an outdoor rally in Ohio, the Republican Presidential nominee called the numerical system “rigged” and unleashed a torrent of abuse on numbers themselves, calling them “disgusting” and “the lowest form of life.”
“It’s why I won’t release my taxes,” he said. “They’re full of goddam numbers.”
While Republican candidates in the past have attempted to exploit their supporters’ distrust of math, Trump is believed to be the first nominee to call into question the numerical system itself.
Dang Andy!! Before you know it he’ll blame ME for math! 
From Alternet: Hillary Clinton earned a powerful progressive endorsement Tuesday, landing the support of the Working Families Party, which enthusiastically endorsed Clinton’s rival Bernie Sanders during the Democratic primary.
“The change we need next year starts with electing Secretary Clinton, but it doesn’t end there,” WFP National Director Dan Cantor said in a press release, noting its major platform concerns include the student debt crisis, money in politics, racial injustice and climate change.
The group says it plans to pressure the Clinton administration to follow through with her progressive campaign promises. Clinton was forced to the left on several issues during the hard-fought primary battle; following Sanders’ concession speech, she laid out an economic plan that promised to tackle student debt and oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership, among other policies embraced by Sanders and his supporters.
I support both the Working Families Party endorsement, and their pledge to hold Hillary’s feet to the fire. I’m glad they realized that the most progressive thing we can do between now and election day is to keep Rump Dump Trump out of office.
Cartoon:
10 Responses to “Open Thread – 8/16/2016”
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4:23 I think I'll just stay on land today, thanks.
I have never tried one of these because, even though it gets hot here, it really cools doen at night, and since menopause I feel much cooler at eny temperature than I ever did, and a ceiling fan is enough for me, often more than enough. So I can't give a personal recommendation. But have you considered a cooling pillow and/or mattress pad? Here's a page of reviews (of products which are more expensice than I would consider, but you can find lower prices googling) http://www.nosleeplessnights.com/cooling-mattress-pad/ Something to consider anyway. The earth ain't gettin' any cooler any time soon.
USAT – Apparently the phenomenon is scaring the Republicans, who are starting to worry they have lost a whole generation. Saw it in Daily Kos.
TNY – “They’re full of goddam ARABIC numbers.” Fixed it for you.
AlterNet – Though retired, I apparently belong to the Working Families Party, and I voted for this endorsement. The email announcing it is very well written, and I suspect reflects members' views pretty accurately (including the pledge to hold feet to fire). I was glad to see it.
Cartoon – Generally we don't see David smiling (Charlie, on the other hand, seems to have a non-stop s**t-eatin' grin.) Wonder what happened.
I've actually checked out most an Amazon. The room seems cooler now that they fixed the AC. I bet it's been leaking all along. Thanks!
I'd consider getting a dehumidifier – BUT they put out a lot of heat, so it could be a wash.
I’ve used a dehumidifier in my basement during the summer for a couple of decades – and it helps. And when Mom moved to Assisted Living, I got hers. So I decided I’d put the second one in the Master Bath. But it added so much heat, I moved it down to the basement also.
So I’m not sure if it’d end up helping or not.
The AC is also a dehumidifier.
USA: Good news!!!
NYer: LOL, Andy. LOL. DT needs to release them.
AN: Great article!
Cartoon: Yep. Big $$$$ talks.
We've had a lot of rain here the last couple days, which brings the humidity too. Yes, it is hard to get a good night's rest. Take care, and Thanks, Tom.
I think I've read that this year the average (world) temperature of July has broken the record of 1969, but now it looks like this August is another scorcher. Even the winter temperatures here in Oz are far above average. There are exceptions though, as the north-west of Europe has had one of its worst summers on record, and that's quite something considering they've been bad for at least 5 summers in a row. But that information doesn't help you sleep any better, does it, TomCat. I'm so sorry your AC can't manage to lower temperatures and humidity enough and is too noisy to let you get enough sleep. Laying low is about all you can do, I'm afraid.
USAT: Some encouraging news at last. It appears that the younger voters have more sense than the older ones, but remember this was also the case in the polls before the Brexit referendum. A large majority of young voters wanted to stay in the EU, but then only 32% of them showed up in the polling booths. So don't let yourself be lulled into complacency, left/progressive America. Hillary is not going to win the election unless you ALL bother to go out and vote for her. And don't think this survey gives you a free card not to vote or vote for a third party because those 52% of others will vote Hillary in. That was exactly what those young Britons thought too, forgetting they were an important part of that 52% (or in their case 76%).
TNY: LMAO Andy's truly brilliant with this take on Drumpfian ranting. And so is Joanne's remark on most numbers being "Arabic". Fantastic.
Alternet: Excellent endorsement for Hillary Clinton by the Working Families Party, because they follow Bernie's lead and insist on her staying on the progressive path and pressure her administration on following up on her campaign promises.
Cartoon: As their main donors who have now shifted their money from Drumpf to Republicans up for election to federal or state Congress the Koch brothers have ensured the idolatry (and servitude) of the GOP.
Puzzle — 3:24 The thoughts of cool water and maritime breezes are sure nice right now.
USA Today — "It’s good to see that most of the Bernie supporters are separating themselves from those on the left who think our nation is better served by their hatred of Hillary than by their support for Bernie." — AMEN!!! As in my OT Sunday, Noam Chomsky advises to hold your nose if you must, but abstaining or making a protest vote only serves Trump. And Chomsky is further left than many of them.
The New Yorker — Drumpf got one thing wrong — numbers aren't the lowest lifeform. Drumpf is! But good one Andy!
Alternet — "We know we won't always agree,” Cantor said Tuesday, adding the party is "ready to work hard to press her to deliver on the economic, environmental and racial justice promises she made during the campaign." — That is the smart attitude, and that is what Bernie has said he'll do. Again, that is what Chomsky has said. Also, it is vitally important to take back the Senate and the House, as well as down ballot positions so that Clinton has a solid Congress with which to accomplish things. That has been a huge problem that Obama has had to deal with during his entire presidency — Republican obstruction.
Cartoon — Thanks for the picture for my dart board!
I feel your pain about the heat and humidity. Same thing here but it only went to 27 C today. Still too hot. I'll have to be careful tomorrow at physio so as not to end up with heat exhaustion again.
The last two weeks have been miserable here, too, but thankfully, my AC was working. We are getting a break the rest of the week, it will only be in the mid eighties, woohoo, cold front!
USA Today: I wish all the Bernie supporters would get behind HIllary, that way, Trump wouldn't stand any chance of winning. I was a Bernie supporter, too, and was very disappointed that he did not win, but I am unwilling to take the chance that Trump will get in the White HOuse.
The New Yorker: Shared this one on Facebook, Andy does it again!
Alternet: I am glad to see that endorsement. I agree that we need tohold her feet to the fire for her pledges on the TPP and student debt. The TPP has been my biggest disappointmen with Obama.
Cartoon: Of course they worship them, that is from hence the money flows.
Thanks all. Very Tired Hugs
Gotta get with ya on the draft.
Kudos to Andy for another fine example of Drumpf's stupidity!
Good post, TC!