I’m still down, but will have at least two articles tomorrow. I’m current with replies.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:34 (average 5:07). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Religious Ecstasy:
They clinched the top seed in the AFC, giving them home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: Howls of protest filled the halls of the U.S. Senate today as dozens of Senators expressed their outrage at having to work through the weekend to save the United States from financial Armageddon.
“We’re hearing a lot about the country plunging back into recession and millions of people being thrown out of work,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). “What we’re not hearing much about is how our Sunday is being completely and irrevocably ruined.”
Senator McConnell said that when President Obama called the Senate back to work on a budget deal this weekend, “At first I thought he was kidding. Not only have I never worked on a weekend, I’ve never met anyone who’s done such a damn fool thing.”
It must be horrible for Bought Bitch Mitch to be called on to save the economy, especially since he has already expended so much effort in the opposite direction.
From MSNBC: Jeff Merkley (D-OR) discussed fiscal speed bump negotiations.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
I agree completely with my Senator. although I could accept a higher income cutoff level on the Bush tax cuts, as high as $500,000. However no deal is acceptable unless it extends unemployment benefits. He is also right that more people working is the fastest way to reduce the deficit.
From The Nation: “We’re not going to have any Social Security cuts,” the Senate majority leader said on the floor of the chamber Sunday. “It’s just doesn’t seem appropriate at this time.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, had attempted Saturday to use the “fiscal cliff” fight to advance a proposal to adopt a chained consumer price index—“chained CPI”—scheme that would slash cost-of-living increases for Americans who rely on Social Security and other government programs. The Obama administration had entertained the “chained CPI” switch earlier in December. But as the critical point when a deal to cut Social Security might have been made, Reid said “No.”
That simple rejection of the false premises of Paul Ryan and all the other fantasists who have tried to push Social Security over the “fiscal cliff”—and into the grips of the Wall Street speculators—confounded the political pawns and the “expert” pundits who imagined that “entitlement reforms” (Washington for Social Security cuts) were “inevitable.”
Within hours of Reid’s Sunday announcement, McConnell and the Republicans backed down and it was clear, finally, that Social Security was “off the table.”
Kudos to Reid. I’m glad he finally grew a pair.
Cartoon:
20 Responses to “Open Thread–12/31/2012”
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3:36 Is it Mothra?
4:30 I think Mothra got me!
4:14 Sadly, no gold in this butterfly!
Last again as Patty Monster defeats mothra! 😉
I am watching C-SPAN right now and was in tears because they said we are very close to a deal. I am afraid they are selling us down the river. Nothing is being said about what kind of deal they are talking about now. All they will say is that it involves the tax portion.
Patty, it's not that bad. See my #2 article today.
The New Yorker ~ I don't really think this is that far from the truth of the matter. You know damn well they were all bitchin' and moanin' about having to work period.
MSNBC ~ I don't know if I could go along with tax breaks for people earning up to $500,000 in good conscience. I really think $300,000 would be enough. They are saying on TV that they have agreed to the tax portion of the deal. I'm actually hoping they don't do anything. It is not a cliff. It's just a speed bump.
The Nation ~ I hope Harry Reid is true to his word and keeps SS off the table.
Cartoon ~ It's been many years since I've ridden that porcelain bus.
It may ve terminal.
I'm happy as long as we get the super-rich.
Amen!
LOL! Me too, bit tghe porcelain throne is another matter.
Happy New Years eve Tom.
Congrats to the Broncos!!
NYT: Andy Borowitz is just so good with his satirical comments.
Senator Merkley is right on.
The Nation: Hats off, three cheers and a pat on the back to Sen Reid.
Cartoon: Paying homage to the porcelain Princes is no fun.
Thanks John!
They sure looked great!
Amen!
Amen again!
Yet another Amen!
Puzzle — 4:14 Sadly, no gold in this butterfly!
The New Yorker — Andy Borowitz is so funny and so spot on! My kind of guy.
McTurtle's not missing all his games — he's been playing games in the Senate since he was elected — even more games in the past 4 years! He's already done everything he can to destroy the economy of the country. McTurtle and his merry band of economic terrorists!
McTurtle is right. Having the Republican/Teabagger politicians actually work, period, might set a dangerous precedent! Republican/Teabagger politicians feeding at the public trough! Talk about welfare — now there is a spending cut that I endorse!
From the Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/31/fiscal-cliff-deal_n_2348269.html?utm_hp_ref=canada&ir=Canada
The Nation — Yup, Harry grew a pair, and brass ones at that! IMO, it should never have come to this, but then Republican/Teabaggers will obstruct any way they can!
Cartoon — Very funny! So some of you are getting the "good china" out for New Years, eh! We're not. I've had my dinner of quinoa and veggies (something I can eat without fear of little mouths getting in the way), the babes have had their kibble, and later, there will be a feast of roast chicken. No alcohol, so as long as I don't give myself food poisoning (which I have done before), no "good china" tonight!
Beat me!
I agree, See my #2 today.
Exactly!
Actually, I havent had a drink in years, but it's a matter of image. 😉
Poor, poor Mitch, having to work on a week end. I worked holidays and week ends through out my career, and I was a state worker. Working people work when there is work to be done, something our congress simply does not understand. I am thankful that Reid stepped up, finally, and defended Social Security. I am so sick of listening to the media talk about cutting entitlements. They hopped right on the Republican agenda, didn't they?
TC, I hope you are better soon.
Amen to all, Edie!
Thanks!
Happy New Year! Bonne Année! Bonne Fête!
However you say it, everyone, please have a happy and safe New Year's celebration! And if you must bring out the "good china", so be it!
Tom, I'm proud of you for looking after yourself better this year. May you enjoy renewed health in 2013 and a whole lot more site visitors. Thanks for all you doo fight the insaniTea.
BTW, your newphews and niece say "Meow! Meow! Meow! Uncle TC!"
Thanks Lynn.
Give the kida a shot of catnip from Uncle TC .
Hey, my avatar changed on my main comment. It looks like I'm trying to figure out how to dance like an Egyptian, rather than being the miserable SOB shaking my fist. What happened?
From here, it looks like MonsterID introduced a new set of avatars to replace the old one.
Maybe MonsterID needs the "good china" because before and after that comment, my avatar is my regular SOB self.
I see the replacedment.