Lynn Squance

Sep 242015
 

Thank you Lona for the supply of cat naps that arrived yesterday, although I not sure that Canada Post quite knew what to do with them.  I indulged myself late this afternoon and it was refreshing after spending 2 hours at physiotherapy.  My therapist was happy with my progress such that we are going to switch from 3 days per week down to two.  Oh heavenly days!

Puzzle — Today’s took me 2:51 (average 4:38).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?  For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.

Short Takes

Upworthy — In April 2013, Diana Kim spotted her father for the first time in decades.

He was living on the street, disheveled and unkempt, and didn't have a clue who she was. 

Kim grew up in Hawaii, which is trying to curb unrelenting increases in homelessness — including a 24% increase in chronic homelessness just last year. Kim's turbulent family life left her battling what she considers "transitional homelessness" as a teen. Kim, who chose not to talk about her relationship with her mother, had slept in parks, lived out of a car, and relied on the kindness of friends to put a roof over her head some nights.

In large part because of her personal experiences, Kim began using photography to bring more visibility to homelessness back in 2003. "When you grow up at an early age and you experience struggle, that shapes the way you see the world."

Read the rest of this story of transformation.

Huffington Post — Six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sat down with HuffPost Live on Monday and blasted Ben Carson's anti-Muslim comments, in which the 2016 GOP candidate questioned both Islamic values and the ability of Muslims to lead the United States in an interview with "Meet The Press."

Abdul-Jabbar, who converted to Islam when he was 24, explained why we shouldn't condemn the entire religion for the actions of  a few:

Watch a short video and read the rest of the short article.  It seems that almost daily, we see people vilified for something they have not done.  I hear the rhetoric "Muslims are terrorists" and other such claims from uneducated or bigoted minds.  It is time to truly think about this and change our ways to that of inclusion, not exclusion.

Mother Jones — Even as the Federal Election Commission remains paralyzed when it comes to addressing the rising tide of dark money flowing into elections, California regulators took another step last week to crack down on secretive money in state elections. And for that, we have the Koch brothers to thank.

Politically active nonprofits have become a preferred way for deep-pocketed donors to influence elections without revealing their identities. As nonprofits, these groups are under no obligation to disclose where their money comes from. But as the amount of dark money entering elections has soared, federal regulators have largely taken a pass on adding new disclosure requirements. California regulators, on the other hand, have gone straight at the issue, and in the wake of a 2012 scandal involving several groups from the network of political organizations run by the Koch brothers, they have aggressively fought to keep dark money groups out of state elections.

On Thursday, state regulators added another layer of security, closing a loophole that might have allowed out-of-state groups and donors to secretly buy influence in California elections. If there was any wiggle room for dark money groups to operate in California, it's likely gone now.

Read the rest of this important article.  Now, if only the same could be done in every state and federally, perhaps Lincoln's statement — "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." — could come true.   Add to that the defeat of Citizens United and the US might have a chance of reclaiming representative democracy.

My Universe — 

Horse WiseWords01

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The First Day Of Autumn

 Posted by at 8:42 am  Politics
Sep 232015
 

The first day of autumn is here in the northern hemisphere with the promise of cooler days and nights, and maybe even some gentle rain to quench a savaged earth.

Enjoy Autumn  Images 

and for our friends in the southern hemisphere it is the beginning of spring . . . YIPPEE!!!  The promise of warming days, new foliage and flowers!

Stacy

 

Time to celebrate the autumn or spring equinoxes, depending on where you live!

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Sep 232015
 

This afternoon, I spent some time looking at Racel Maddow tapings as well as some other worthy videos on YouTube.  That's when I came across the video of Bernie Sanders speaking at Liberty University.  Here it is, approximately 53 minutes in length, speech and a Q&A.  It is refreshing to see someone, especially a politician, that acknowledges that he can't be all things to all people.

 

 

What do you think about his stance on family values . . . moral values?  I was suitably impressed.

Feel the Bern!

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Sep 232015
 

Today has been a rather mellow day, much of it spent on-line reading with a few home chores on the side.  Of course I spent time playing with my "kids" which is always fun.  But the best part, since I did not have to go out, I stayed in my pajamas.  How snuggly is that?

Fantasy Football

          Points
Rank Team W-L-T Pct Stk Waiver For Against
1+1

Progressive UnderdogsProgressive Underdogs

2-0-0 1.000 W2 10 214.92 149.74
2+2

MittsMagicJockMittsMagicJock

2-0-0 1.000 W2 9 191.48 167.76
3+7

TomCat Teabag TrashersTomCat Teabag Trashers

1-1-0 .500 W1 8 192.34 207.46
4+5

Size 9 StompersSize 9 Stompers

1-1-0 .500 W1 7 172.00 164.46
5

endthegopendthegop

1-1-0 .500 L1 6 162.78 193.00
6-5

Playing without a helmetPlaying without a helmet

1-1-0 .500 L1 5 222.84 238.24
7-4

Monster MashersMonster Mashers

1-1-0 .500 L1 4 173.54 182.06
8

Lefty HillbilliesLefty Hillbillies

1-1-0 .500 W1 3 156.90 151.44
9-3

Purple DemonPurple Demon

0-2-0 .000 L2 2 204.30 220.68
10-3

BALCO BombersBALCO Bombers

0-2-0 .000 L2 1 157.82 174.08

* Rank change shown is from week 1 – 2

At least the next time I talk to TC, I'll be able to give him the good news that he is in 3rd place!

Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:13 (average 4:21).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?  For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.

Short Takes

The Nation — h/t JL — The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and National Voter Registration Act of 1993 enfranchised millions of new voters. After passage of the VRA, for example, the number of black registered voters in the South increased from 31 percent to 73 percent. Despite these landmark laws, 51 million Americans—1 in 4 eligible voters—are still not registered to vote. “Among eligible voters, some 30 percent of African Americans, 40 percent of Hispanics, 45 percent of Asian Americans, and 41 percent of young adults (age 18-24), were not registered to vote in the historic 2008 election,” according to Demos.

During the 2012 election, the United States ranked 31st of 34 developed countries in voter turnout. Yet 84 percent of registered voters cast ballots. The US doesn’t have a voter turnout problem; we have a voter registration problem. Our turnout is abysmal because so many eligible voters are not even registered to vote.

But why is the registration rate so low?  As I understand, the registration process is controlled by the political parties.  I remember reading about voter registrations ending up in dumpsters . . . registrations for people likely to vote Democratic, or voters that were registering as Democrats. The parties should not be involved in registrations.  But that is only one part.  I suspect that there are people that figure their vote does not count, so why go to the trouble.  I also think the differences state to state in early voting, voting hours, long line-ups to vote etc all contribute to less than ideal participation rates.  Until this function is taken over by a federal agency, I see no chance of reform.  Look at the administration of Canada's federal election.  It isn't perfect, but there isn't the corruption of the system as there is in the US.

Rachel Maddow — Rachel recently interviewed Bernie Sanders.  Here is video of this 16 minute interview.  

When I was doing some research, I came across this Rachel video "Punch in the face starts the day's 2016 news" and was very amused when she reported that among Republican voters in Vermont, Bernie leads the way tied with Trump and Jebya at 12% of the vote.  I could not imbed the video but connect to it from the link.  It is in the first 5 minutes and is quite amusing.  To say that Bernie has a broad appeal is an understatement.  Or is this an indication that Republicans, at least in Vermont, are not too swift?

Go Bernie!  I don't even get to vote and I can "Feel the Bern".  I know many Canadians would be happy with Bernie as Prime Minister, but our election is 3 weeks away . . . not enough time for Bernie to get in.

Huffington Post — "I think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone pipeline as what I believe it is:  a distraction from the important work we have to do to combat climate change, and, unfortunately from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward," Clinton said.

"Therefore, I oppose it," she said. "I don't think it's in the best interest of what we need to do to combat climate change."

Well finally!  A clear statement of where Hillary stands on the Keystone XL and a statement about climate change.  I rather liked her suggestion of a "plan for a North American approach to fighting climate change and clean energy" .  Let's hope, God forbid, that Stephen Harper is not the Prime Minister after the 19/10/15 Canadian election.  He did not work well with Obama when it came to the Keystone XL.

My Universe — Amen!

may you find the strength to face tomorrow

 

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Sep 222015
 

Today turned out not to be as busy as I thought.  My ESL student is sick so cancelled our class.  That gave me a chance for a short Lona cat nap after physio before finishing this post.  The nap didn't last long as there were fire trucks and ambulances  in the street below my window.  I am blessed with the local hospital across the street to the east, and the main fire hall across the street to the west.  No matter their proximity, the truck engines and sirens were wailing away keeping me from a nap.  At least I managed a good sleep last night.

Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:28 (average 6:17).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?  For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.

Daily Kos — … Stewart also offered a "warning" to the first responders as they prepared to trek the halls of Congress. "Today, on [Capitol] Hill, you will be exposed to possibly toxic levels of bulls**t and arrogance," …

Now isn't that the truth!  As Jon said (paraphrase) to a gathered group of first responders, when the need was there, you jumped in right away to do what you were trained to do.  Why should you have to push to get the benefits needed as a result of your heroism?  Jon is so spot on, and we know where the problem lies . . . with Republicans!

CBC — "Today, I believe that I am being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race so that a positive conservative message can rise to the top of the field. With that in mind, I will suspend my campaign immediately," Walker said at a press conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

scott walker

"I encourage other Republican presidential candidates to consider doing the same so the voters can focus on a limited number of candidates who can offer a positive conservative alternative to the current front-runner," Walker continued. "This is fundamentally important to the future of the party and more importantly to the future of our country."

Read the rest of the story through the link.

Well, the darling of the Koch set has pulled the plug on his 2016 presidential aspirations.  I wonder how the Kochs are taking it?  A while back, I distinctly had the impression that the relationship between Walker, the Fartfuhrer of Fitzwalkerstan, and the Kochs had significantly cooled.

Here from the Huffington Post is a series of tweets from Liz Mair, a former aide to the Fartfuhrer describing why he couldn't win the White House in 2016.

Alternet — … The drug, called Daraprim, was acquired in August by Turing Pharmaceuticals, a start-up run by a former hedge fund manager. Turing immediately raised the price to $750 a tablet from $13.50, bringing the annual cost of treatment for some patients to hundreds of thousands of dollars. … Shkreli claims that the higher cost for the drug is necessary for his new company to develop better treatments for toxoplasmosis, a claim which doctors quoted in the Times article call hollow as the side effects for Daraprim are manageable and there is no "clamoring" for a substitute. Interestingly, Shkreli's is the same type of claim pharmaceutical companies made in response to efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices.

Read the rest.  I find it inexcusable for such price increases.  Ultimately, it hurts everyone and will lead to greater loss of life.

My Universe — h/t JL — Ah, the humble toilet paper roll that every cat parent understands!  My little Annie has shredded one or two, but her favourite is the famous paper towel roll.  She renders them useless . . . totally useless!

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Sep 222015
 

Willie Velásquez: 

"Su voto es su voz"

"Your vote is your voice"

Daily Kos  h/t JL — Republican presidential candidates have been making racist remarks about Latinos in the U.S., and they aren't falling on deaf ears. Those same candidates choosing to skip July's National Council of La Raza conference in Kansas City—which was attended by Democrats Hillary ClintonBernie Sanders, and Martin O'Malleydidn't go unnoticed. Acting as if Latinos don't matter in U.S. elections is not only bad politics, it is the height of political stupidity.Latinos listen.

Read the rest of the article at Daily Kos 

Everybody needs to listen and then vote.  The various Latino communities are listening and working hard to get people registered.  What are you doing?

On 19 October 2015, Canada is having a federal election and many, many of us are hoping to kick Stephen Harper to the curb with his Conservative Party Harlots as I call them.  Harper is using the US Republican play book making a mockery of our democracy.  I have people say to me "My vote won't make a difference so I'm not likely to vote.  We'll see."

Voting is a DUTY, a responsibility we MUST embrace if we are to have a government that is worthy of us!  If you don't vote because you couldn't be bothered, then don't complain about the government you get.

To quote Arielle at Care2, "Afraid one of these nuts [Republican presidential candidates] will be elected?"

There is a remedy . . . either register or update your registration, and then 

VOTE!!!

Regardless whether you vote with electronic voting machines or mail in ballots like Oregon, you need to be REGISTERED!

National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, 22 September 2015

With many US jurisdictions having November elections with registration deadlines in advance of the election, it is imperative to register or update your registration if you have moved.  If you have questions about your registration, please contact the League of Women Voters .

Once you are registered, make sure that you

vote

 

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Sep 212015
 

OGIM!! as TC would say!  Actually, it is Sunday afternoon and I am back from church and working on this post for Monday.  I asked the congregation to pray for TomCat's healing and lit a candle for him.  I had a number of people acknowledge that they would pray for him.  Otherwise, Sunday afternoon is pretty mellow.  I did have a good laugh at a radio commercial for a home equity lending company though.  Seems the fellow wanted to borrow money to set up a sasquatch farm with tennis courts and a swimming pool.  Sasquatch is a nickname that TC gave me, so I think he would appreciate the humour.  I will likely have dinner, finish this off and have an early date with my pillow.  Monday will be busy!

PLEASE NOTE: I have made the post title the hyperlink to the original article with the exception of the puzzle.

Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:10 (average 4:59).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?  For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.

The New Yorker — Two days after asserting that President Barack Obama was a foreign-born Muslim, a guy who asked Donald Trump a provocative question at a New Hampshire rally is now the front-runner in the Republican race for President, according to a new poll.

The poll, which was conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Opinion Research Institute, shows Muslim Question Guy leading the G.O.P. field with thirty-four per cent as opposed to nineteen per cent for Trump.

I know this is Andy's satire, but with all the Republican BS and the Islamophobes coming out from under rocks, this could actually be real reporting.

The Guardian — The Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has said no Muslim should be president of the United States of America.

In an interview with NBC for broadcast on Sunday morning, the retired neurosurgeon said: “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”

This week, Ellison carried a clock around Congress to show support for Ahmed Mohamed, a 14-year-old boy who was arrested at his school in Irving, Texas over suspicions a homemade clock was in fact a bomb.

On Sunday Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to Congress, released a statement in answer to Carson’s comments.

“For Ben Carson, Donald Trump, or any other Republican politician to suggest that someone of any faith is unfit for office is out of touch with who we are as a people,” he said.

“It’s unimaginable that the leading GOP presidential candidates are resorting to fear mongering to benefit their campaigns, and every American should be disturbed that these national figures are engaging in and tolerating blatant acts of religious bigotry.” (my emphasis)

I happen to agree with Ellison.  But I also agree with Kasich when he says "“But, for me, the most important thing about being president is you have leadership skills, you know what you’re doing, and you can help fix this country and raise this country. Those are the qualifications that matter to me.”"  I would also add integrity.  So considering the 1st and 14th amendments to the Constitution and considering the skill sets and qualities for POTUS, being Muslim should not hold anyone back.  However, I do think that the anti-Muslim feeling within the country, almost a hysteria in some areas, would make being a Muslim POTUS almost untenable.  If the Republican/Teabaggers and the entire right wing render the Congress totally dysfunctional because POTUS is an African American Christian, what would the Congress be like with a POTUS that is Muslim?  It should not be this way.

NY Times — I’ve been going over what was said at Wednesday’s Republican debate, and I’m terrified. You should be, too. After all, given the vagaries of elections, there’s a pretty good chance that one of these people will end up in the White House.

Why is that scary? I would argue that all of the G.O.P. candidates are calling for policies that would be deeply destructive at home, abroad, or both. But even if you like the broad thrust of modern Republican policies, it should worry you that the men and woman on that stage are clearly living in a world of fantasies and fictions. And some seem willing to advance their ambitions with outright lies.

Another fine article by Paul Krugman.  I want to do a piece on the recent debate, but I just can't find a big enough barf bag.  To be sure, much of the press I have seen has declared Fiorina the winner, but nobody is sure of just what!  One thing is for sure, this is SSDD Republican/Teabagger style.

My Universe — h/t JL — That's me today!  How did I manage to work full time in a middle management job, do volunteer work and not feel as tired as I am tonight?  This is definitely a good word!

 

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Sep 202015
 

As Puddy Tat always says "Almost every week, Republicans join a competition to see who can say the most outlandish things, and in the process, they push the envelope on just how nutty InsaniTEA can become.  I trust that you will believe it, when I tell you that last week was no exception."

1. Sarah Palin rants about how Ahmed Mohamed was up to no good when he brought that clock to school.

Mama Bear Palin actually managed to make her dim-witted daughter Bristol look almost reasonable this week. While Bristol went on record on her blog saying that 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed should probably not have been arrested for bringing a clock to school, Sarah ranted thusly on Facebook:

“Yep, believing that’s a clock in a school pencil box is like believing Barack Obama is ruling over the most transparent administration in history. Right. That’s a clock, and I’m the queen of England.” 

Her deranged comments hardly ended there:

“Friends, consider the kids disciplined and/or kicked out of school for bringing squirt guns to school or taking bites out of a pop tart until it resembled (to some politically correct yahoo) a gun. Or the student out deer hunting with his dad early one morning who forgot he had a box of ammo in his truck when he parked in the school’s lot later that day. Kids humiliated and intimidated for innocent actions like those real examples are often marked the rest of their lives and made to feel really rotten. Whereas Ahmed Muhammad, [sic] an evidently obstinate-answering student bringing in a homemade 'clock' that obviously could be seen by conscientious teachers as a dangerous wired-up bomb-looking contraption (teachers who are told 'if you see something, say something!') gets invited to the White House.”

On this Mama and Baby Grizzly agreed. President Obama had no business inviting wrongly arrested Ahmed to the White House. Who does he think he is, the president of the United States? Maybe the queen of England? That would be just like him, you know.

“By the way, President Obama’s practice of jumping in cases prematurely to interject himself as the cool savior, wanting so badly to attach himself to the issue-of-the-day, got old years ago,” Palin wrote.

Yeah, Bristol blogged, this is “the kind of stuff Obama needs to STAY out of.”

Why does she think that? “This encourages more racial strife that is already going on with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ crowd and encourages victimhood,” she wrote. 

It’s a familiar right-wing trope, racial strife is somehow created by those who point out racism, instead of those perpetuating racism.

Of course, that is a concept that goes whizzing by both Palin women's heads.

Read the rest at Alternet

What movie was it that coined the phrase "They're ba-ack!"?  I'm sure it was some horror movie.  Oh wait, "It's As The Stomach Turns" starring the Republican/Teabaggers.

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