My trip to prison on Thursday was a meeting of over 100 men. I was pleased to learn that two of the men, that I have known for over twenty years, are coming up for parole. I have absolute confidence that both have learned the skills they will need to stay free, as law abiding citizens, and the motivation to use them, if the parole board releases them. I feel intense pride in and hope for them. Yesterday I slept for most of the day. I’m current with replies. Today is a day of recovery and catching up.
Jig Zone Puzzles:
Yesterday it took me 4:32 (average 5:46). To do it, click here. Today it took me 4:49 (average 5:38). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From News OK: A state lawmaker [Oklahoma] said Tuesday he wants a serious discussion on his bill that would make it illegal in the state to manufacture or knowingly sell food or any other product intended for human consumption that contains aborted human fetuses.
This is nothing but a highly disingenuous Republican attempt to frighten voters with a totally manufactured issue. It has absolutely no basis in reality.
From Raw Story: Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul wants to abolish all income taxes — but he says he’ll have to completely destroy the “welfare system” to do it.
During CNN’s Republican debate in Florida on Thursday, moderator Wolf Blitzer asked Paul if he agreed with the tax policies that former President Ronald Reagan put in place.
“He taxed too much,” Paul replied. “My goal is to get rid of the 16th Amendment and the only way you can do that is not run a welfare system and a warfare system.”
Ronnie the Racist includes Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in the welfare system. in addition to food stamps and other programs to aid the needy. He would replace income tax with a sales tax that would decrease taxes on the rich and increase them on everyone else.
From LA Times: But the secretary of state said Thursday that after decades of "being on the high wire of American politics," it’s about time for some R & R.
"It would be probably a good idea to just find out how tired I am," she joked. Then she teased: "Everyone always says that when they leave these jobs."
Clinton, during an event with State Department employees, had been asked, "What could we do to persuade you to run for vice president?" Clinton said she has enjoyed her time as the nation’s top diplomat and would continue to serve only as long as it takes for a replacement to be selected and confirmed after the election.
This may be a good thing, but I’m concerned. She would draw a lot of support if she becomes Obama’s running mate, but the cost would be high. She and Bill have been adept at influencing Obama to the right. I’m not optimistic about her replace, because Senate Republicans are likely to block any choice that is not a bad one.
Cartoon:
10 Responses to “Open Thread–1/28/2012”
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Oklahoma — This guy has been drinking too much Oklahoma water polluted by fracking chemicals! This ‘what if’ bill is a waste of time without proof that this type of thing is going on. When he starts talking of a science fiction movie from the 70’s, I know he must have been smoking some peyote or something. I hope this isn’t the increase in the manufacturing sector that the nation is hoping for!
Ron Paul — Paul sounds like he’s been drinking the Oklahoma water too! My firdt question was ‘how are those that can’t afford medical insurance going to get care when needed?’ but then I remembered one of the first GOP debates — he’d let them die! I suppose that is one way to control the population. I don’t want to give ‘dementia’ a worse name than it has but Paul sure sounds demented! For that matter, all the Republican/Teabagger candidates sound demented, or at 12 fries short of a Happy Meal.
Clinton — That’s a toughie. I have never had a good feel for her. Is it possible that she is saying this to elicit a ‘ Go for the VP job Hilary’ from her staff to test the waters of support? I agree that if she retires, and there is a Republican Senate yet again (God forbid!), then getting a confirmation will be next to impossible. But if she is the VP, Mr Obama is still faced with that same issue, is he not? I also read fairly recently that Joe Biden would make a good Secretary of State and that diplomacy is his forté. What about Clinton for VP if she could be persuaded, Biden for Secretary of State (I’d like to see the Senate hold up that confirmation given he is the current VP)? We’ve seen Mr Obama grow somw backbone with the Republican’Teabaggers, perhaps this backbone will also help with inside influences.
Cartoon — TC, I know you like cooking, but this is toxic waste! If this is your idea of haute cuisine, no wonder the beans elicited such a reaction!
Amen!
Just as Alan Grayson predicted.
That is my hope. Next year they will not be able to pressure him with reelection, and his focus will shift to legacy.
I would never pollute my beans with that! The green cloud they make is green energy!! 😉
You know some Teabuggered wing-nut will use that as proof.
PS
YUCK!
Terrible on yesterday’s puzzle 5:05
Even worse today 6:07
Shades of Solyent Green! Watch what you eat. He needs a new tinfoil hat, methinks.
Ron Paul is getting crazier all the time. he knows he’ll never be elected. Time for him to run away from the circus.
Hillary does look tired. It would be bad if she left though and the RepublicanTs were still able to block any of Pres Obama’s nominees.
About Time. 😉
Amen to the rest!
Ok, food products with human fetus’ in them – umm, sorry, fetus’ are bio waste and are not even fed to animals. Jag off.
I think Ron Paul has lost his mind – all those bright lights from the debates is causing it.
I say let Hillary go and get someone more progressive in there.
Cute cartoon!
But Lisa, had he told the truth, he would not be a Republican.
I agree, but he lost it in antediluvian times.
Good idea.
Thanks!
4:06 I had the wind at my back today.
You’ll need it again today.