Open Thread December 14 2024

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 142024
 

Yesterday, I learned that Nancy Pelosi had fallen and injured her hip while part of a Congressional delegation to Europe, and is now in a hospital in Luxembourg.  “The 84-year-old former speaker is cancelling the rest of her CODEL engagements but ‘continues to work,’ Pelosi spokesperson Ian Krager said in a statement.”  It as/is a bipartisan delegation, and apparently some Republicans even offered good wishes and said nice things.  The story is on Axios and being updated as new information comes in.  I’m glad it wasn’t a knee, which I understand is the most difficult joint to work on and get good results.  I wish her a full and speedy recovery.

I didn’t want to wait too long on this analysis by Joyce Vance, so I just squeezed it in when I saw it. (If I’ve said this before, I apologize for the duplication. Apparently the American people simply cannot tolerate a person with as much goodness as Biden has in the Presidency. Jimmy Carter also did not get a second term.) Since he’s apparently not done yet, I can still hope for clemency for Leonard Peltier.

Living in fear is no way to live. On the other hand, if it weren’t for fear, we’d all be dead. A clear eyed fear of actual danger is necessary to survive. Although I don’t remember it, when I was maybe 3 or 4, my Mom, her brother, and I went to Yosemite. At one point, we were fairly close to some bears who were minding their own business. I ran up to one and tried to climb onto it. My Mom about lost it. My Uncle ran to me and the bear and grabbed me off of it before I could be hurt. Was I grateful? No. I was yelling “Bad Unca Bill, won’t let me ride nice bear!” Dictators are predictable in some ways and unpredictable in others. Steve Schmidt addresses ways one can decide to live under those conditions. The more we work at understanding the unpredictable, the more likely we are not to get caught in some less predictable mood swing.

This absolutely didn’t need to happen. But it did. The F* News covers some underlying as well as the obvious facts which make it so bad.

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Open Thread December 13 2024

 Posted by at 6:01 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 132024
 

Yesterday, I got the few Christmas cards I still mail ready to go, and am mailing them today. Also, I learned Larry Krasner is running for reelection for DA in Philadelphia, and is requesting contribution. Larry was the first and is still the most prominent progressive DA in the country, which means Democrats everywhere are looking to him, and Republicans everywhere are gunning for him. If there’s any room on your Christmas list, you might want to consider him. And, yes, today is Friday the 13th. Many people say TGIF every Friday, and the number 13 should have only a positive significance for the nation founded by 13 colonies which became 13 states (and to this day we keep 13 stripes in our flag to remember that.)

Dan Froomkin at Press Watch points out the obvious – we are all furious with mainstream media because they don’t do their job – but actually it has become a job whixh is impossible to do. And in the long run, it’s we who need to keep working to change the conditions. (And, yes, it feels impossible.)

I don’t cite Crooks and Liars often any more, because they have becone difficult to read unless you pay them. Bur this article, particularly the Bluesky at the end, is worth it.

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Open Thread December 12 2024

 Posted by at 5:58 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 122024
 

Yesterday was pretty quiet.  I put in a couple of medical claims for Thyroid, which has to come from a pharmacy which for some reason cannot accept HSA cards. (But the claims a paid promptly.) And that’s really all .

Like y’all, I was disappointed in Alvin Bragg when he first took office. But, oh boy, has he ever found some (courage, guts, balls, spine – pick your metaphor.) Now I am wondering whether this is newfound, or whether we underestimated him all along. Not that it really matters when an entire nation can best survive by simply taking one day at a time. Joyce Vance elaborates.

Yes, I am late with this Heather Cox Richardson essay. But I am always going to be late with hers and Vance’s, and Reich’s, and Hubbell’s, because they all send late enough that I generally don’t see them until the following day. At best, I ever see them untl after I have posted. But I fon’t consider that a reason not to share them when they are profound. This one is about the history of December 10 being international Human Rights Day. And all that that history implies.

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Open Thread December 11 2024

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 112024
 

Yesterday, with the bathroom issue fixed (at least for now) I tried phonimg the internet/phone people’s customer support, which turned out to be useless.  I tried to fine an email address, but apparently they only accept on line communication through Fakebook, Xitter, and Instagram, none of which I would touch.  Trying to think of some other way, I added to my draft a paragraph about hating chat and that I would log out as soon as I had posted it, I copied and pasted the letter requested a transcript, and logged out.  I am anticipating having to go to snailmail, and am prepared for that.

Heather Cox Richardson is always thoughtful and knowledgeable, but sometimes she produces a real zinger – stuff from history which is so pertinent to what we are experiencing that it almost makes the hair stand up on the back of one’s neck. IMO this is one of those times.

This from The Root – it’s totally unrelated to the US or to our politics but it’s so upbeat I felt I needed to share it And y’all needed to see it.

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Open Thread December 10 2024

 Posted by at 6:03 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 102024
 

Yesterday, The plumber was later than he had said (it snowed a little the night before and was still snowing when he got here – it wasn’t all that heavy then, but by afternoon the ground was a blanket of white.  And even light snow means scraping all glass before driving) But once he got here he was through very quickly. He thinks I probably need a new toilet, but I don’t like doing that while I’m still paying for the water heater, so for now I’ll stock up on Drano and use it religiously

Joyce Vance is probably right about preemptive pardons. But even so, she agrees that they should be offered to the most vulnerable, without specifying exactly who she thinks they are. I would certainly include Dr. Fauci as one of the most vulnerable myself. He and his family have surely suffered enough.

I did not see this coming, and neither did The F* News. But in a kind of a sort of a way, neither of us is really surprised. People who helped round up Jan 6 rioters are people who are interested in the welfare of the country, and that probably more than they are interested in individuals.

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Open Thread December 9 2024

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 092024
 

Yesterday, I got up early (knowing I would have to get up even earlier today) and so was up when Virgil called (he says “Hi”). Trinette came by (she says hi) and moved some stuff for me. Other than that I didn’t do much of anything. Some days need to be like that.
Extra: Robert Reich caption contest with last week winners

Post publication addition – “Here Is Your Wonkette Explainer Of What Just Happened In Syria.!” I figure it’s as close as we are likely to get to honesty, especially this early.

Robert Hubbell always takes pains to be thoughtful and accurate (and to do his homework before posting.) Over the years I have seen so many people write petitions for things which really do need to be done, and then address them to people who have absolutely no power to accomplish them. When I am aware of that – and I’m sure I’m not always – I attempt to notify the petitioner or the petition sponsor. The third section of this newsletter addresses such a situation and clearly shows “This is how it’s done.” (Not to belittle the rest of the newsletter.)

Steve Schmidt has a new “Schmidt Storm” out. Yes, it’s a video, but there’s a transcript available. We all know where there’s Trump** there’s corruption, but we don’t always have details.

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Open Thread December 8 2024

 Posted by at 6:03 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 082024
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was Richard Strauss’s “Die Frau Ohne Schatten,” considered to be a “fairy tale” opera. It certainly is one that would likely warm the hearts of right wimgers, since the shadow of the title is a symbol of the ability to bear children. But, on the other side of the equation, it’s also all about choice. It’s long – four hours including intermission – but the music is powerful, and in its way so is the story.

Steve Schmidt goes through a lot of information before he gets to his title point, but that’s the point for which I am posting it.

Andy Borowitz gets serious with advice to survive Trump** II. Andy is the epitome of the jester of the past who through humor managed to be the wisest person in the room at any given time. I’ll take him seriously.

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Open Thread December 7 2024

 Posted by at 5:58 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 072024
 

Yesterday, my toilet clogged, and the plumber cannot come until Monday. But that’s not why I made this post entirely about healthcare today. I started putting it together when the news of the murder came out. By the way, the picture at left  is from Pearl Harbor. Besides the videos, allow me to add this extra to lighten up a little.
Andy Borowitz on pardons

I have never worked in health insurance, but I have worked in auto and home insurance, and one thing I learned is that if a coverage dispute goes to court, the verdict often goes to the insured, even if the expense is pretty nearly not covered by the contract. And that is because an insurance policy is a “Contract of adhesion.” That means that the insured has little or no say in what the contract says. It’s not a rule (neither is “tie goes to the runner” a rule in baseball). The jury or judge, like the umpire in baseball, must make the decision. But insurance companies know that the insured often gets the benefit of the doubt. I would think this would also apply to health insurance, which leads me to the conclusion that insureds who need help the most are those financially unable to take a case to court – a conclusion which should surprise no one at all. I couldn’t help but think of Wendell Potter – the Cigna CEO who quit because he couldn’t take the corruption. He is still fighting Big Health, and has a column on Substack (the newest entry is from the da before Thanksgiving, so it’s upbeat, but still very telling.)

Since I have already brought up health insurance, this may be an appropriate time to share this story on Medicare Advantage, which is not to anyone’s advantage but those who want to privatize Medicare. And, it not only doesn’t save money for its insured, but it doesn’t save any for taxpayers either. It’s something only a Republican could love. My advice is, don’t get it, and if you have it, don’t renew it. If it’s too late to drop it this year, don’t renew it next year. You’d be far better off setting up a separate savings account for medical emergencies and putting what the pemiums cost into it.

Incidentally, if you live in any of these nine states: Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia – you need to know about this. Even if it wouldn’t affect you personally, it might stall affect a friend, a relative, or a neighbor.

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