Open Thread–3/17/2011

Yesterday the furnace in my building broke down, so I spent most of the day in bed to stay warm.  I have caught up on comments.  Today I’ll be going down to Salem to do volunteer work in the Prison, so tomorrow’s offering may be thin and late.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:35 (4:30 average).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, who leads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, said Wednesday that he was ready to go to Gaza and meet with Ismail Haniya, the leader of the Hamas government, who on Tuesday had invited Mr. Abbas and Fatah to resume unity talks. Mr. Abbas said the purpose would be to reach agreement on the formation of a new government that could prepare for Palestinian presidential and parliamentary elections within six months.

This is a smart move for both.  As long as Palestinians remain divided, Israel will use the division to block a negotiated two state solution.

From Politico: The top two Democratic leaders in the House have twice split on whether to approve short-term government funding bills that cut billions from federal accounts. Senate Democrats haven’t put forward a long-term spending plan that can move through their chamber, and Democrats on both sides of the Capitol say they have no idea where the White House stands or who’s running the show.

Obama needs to show some leadership.  During his campaign, he promised that if the rights of working people were under assault, he would be on the picket line himself.  Where is he?

From Truthdig: Lucky for him. Raymond Davis, the CIA contractor who was nabbed in January after shooting and killing two men in Pakistan (the news of which wasn’t released until February), has been freed from detainment after the payment of “blood money” to the victims’ families.

Clinton denies it.  I don’t believe her.

Cartoon:

Watch out for Japan donation scams!