It’s a little cooler today, but the sun is due to hit the window, and I’ll have to button-up when it does. I have not yet recovered from the heat wave, and I still feel quite tired.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:44 (average 5:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From YouTube (Media Matters Channel): MSNBC’s Mariana Atencio speaks with families who were separated at the border
These are the people Republicans call enemies, criminals, drug gangs, and scum. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!
From YouTube (Inequality Media Channel): Trump’s Takeover of the Courts
The Reich on the left is right. The Reich on the Right is Fascist. We need BOTH the House and Senate just to mitigate the damage. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!
From NY Times: The European Union fought back on Friday against the Trump administration’s tariffs, slapping penalties on an array of American products that target the president’s political base, like bourbon, motorcycles and orange juice.
The European counterattack on $3.2 billion of goods, a response to the administration’s measures on steel and aluminum imports, adds another front to a trade war that has engulfed allies and adversaries around the world. China and Mexico have already retaliated with their own tariffs, and Canada, Japan and Turkey are readying similar offensives.
The risk of escalation is high since Mr. Trump has promised even more tariffs. Taking aim at German car manufacturers, the president has started an investigation into automobile imports to determine whether they pose a national security concern, the same justification used for his metal tariffs.
Frankly, I’m amazed that the civilized world has not imposed major sanctions against the US, because Republican policies are have made the US an International pariah. RESIST!! VOTE BLUE!!
Cartoon:
13 Responses to “Open Thread – 6/22/2018”
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4:45 You may have to get past those dudes to get that horse … and the one in the saddle is armed.
I got an email this morning with the subject line “Take Action to Ban Misters.” I suppose will hear from all the misogynists now about “feminazis.” Cue in 3 … 2 … 1 …
And from the “No S***, Sherlock, what Was Your First Clue” department:
OK, this scares me. We are already fighting a citizenship question on the Census because it will lead to an undercount for obvious reasons, immigration being treated as a criminal act for one. Now, these perfectly legitimate numbers are just BEGGING to be used as a justification for counts lower than expected. I hope some group more qualified than I am will take this up and watch like hawks.
New Randy! (Warning: NSFW)
MSNBC – I saw an abbreviated version of this last night. Don’t think I can sit through the whole thing.
Reich – For me, he is preaching to the choir.But I’m not the only voter in the country. All need to be aware of this (of course, some will think it’s just great.)
NYT – The EU needs to be doing this. I know Americans will get hurt, and I wish that didn’t have to happen, but they are absolutely right to be doing whatever they can to put checks on Orange Judas – since our Constitution seems to be prevented from doing so.
Cartoon – Dear Lord. Clearly a Reagan Court. I wonder whether that decision helpred Bill get elected?
MM: Gawd, breaks my heart…..To the gop’ers who don’t believe and lie about it…..Tears Don’t Lie !!!
IMC: This is very, very scary. imho.
NYT: What Joanne said. thx!
Love Randy. I know his mom must be soooo proud of him, I certainly am!!
Trae/Sam B too!
Cartoon: Good grief !! ugh!!
It’s very muggy here, I thought it was going to rain again. Not yet, anyways. I’m hoping that you get your rest, take good care, enjoy your evening, and Thanks, Tom.
Let us hope that our allies against the tRump regime have genuine backbones, as well as intestinal – and testicular – fortitude. As for us ladies, we have “a pair” as well, only much bigger!
No freedom or right is an absolute. Freedom of speech is vital, but it does not protect people who incite others to riot, or spread vicious and harmful rumors, or who yell “Fire!” in a crowded theatre.
Scary vid by Reich!!
Defend your democracy!! ✊
MSNBC: Criminals, drug gangs and scum aren’t risking life and limb to flee their homes towards an unknown future, together with a murderous, totalitarian governments they are often the cause of people fleeing. But as any Fascism for dummies handbook will emphasize in its first chapter, dehumanization is the first step on the road to segregating those bad people from us good people, then excluding those evil people from our society and finally eliminating the vermin. It’s all so easy when you close your eyes, ears and heart and refuse to let their humanity touch you.
Robert Reich: Drumpf picks a ball, but Republicans are the ones who are kicking it in an empty goal. They made sure that the goalkeeper is down and out in the dugout. Each goal brings the jurisdiction closer to become an extension of the right wing.
NYT: Drumpf has finally got what he wanted: his own war. It’s unlikely he’ll find a tariff war very gratifying for long, so we better keep an eye out where the next real one coming from. Iran, North Korea and now Venezuela are among the likely winners.
Cartoon: Really, they did? What is Robert Reich still worried about. SCOTUS wasn’t an independent institution even then.
Actually, it was the correct decision. Burning the cross does not qualify as hate speech without some other context. It’s just like burning the flag. It’s legal, unless a Republican is wrapped in it.
Burning the flag, as has been pointed out many times over the decades, is not only legal, but is specifically mentioned in the flag code as a proper way to respectfully dispose of one which has become worn out. But, as you point out, not if someone is wrapped in it at the time
Well, we could try a test case. Got a spare Republican?
But isn’t the context almost always the KKK?
Of course it is, but knowing intent and proving it to a legal certainty are not the same.
Thanks all. Hugs!
Puzzle — 4:17 No horsie fricassée today!!!
Media Matters — “These are the people Republicans call enemies, criminals, drug gangs, and scum.” . . . and animals and vermin. The only vermin I see are Drumpf and Republicans. This is a horrendous experience — fleeing violence in one country and landing in the ‘refuge’ where it is not safe either.
Inequality Media — Do you remember that it was said it would take Obama more than his 8 years in office to undo the perversions of the Bush years? I don’t know how long it will take to undo Drumpf’s machinations, but just in the courts, it could take 50 years. The US international reputation may take longer if it can ever be adequately restored. How much more damage could be done in the mean time. Drumpf = the great American SNAFU!
NY Times — “I’m amazed that the civilized world has not imposed major sanctions against the US, because Republican policies have made the US an International pariah.” — Ain’t that the truth! The Congress authorised sanctions against Iran, North Korea, Russia (although Drumpf did not enforce the last lot) etc. It is about time that the US felt the sting of its own actions. I just pity the citizenry that will suffer. It is an out-of-control fascist dictator and Republicans who will be responsible for any sanctions. I have a request though — If there are sanctions, tell the US government to keep their grubby mitts off of Canada! We are not a US state or protectorate!
Cartoon — There is a difference between free speech and hate speech. A conservative court?
In a hurry. Attending Ali’s grad shortly.
Congrats to Ali … and some to you too.