Personal – Page 16 – Politics Plus

Open Thread July 14 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:58 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 142024

Yesterday, the radio opera was Wagner’s “Das Rheingold,” the prologue to his Ring Cycle, but the last of the four libretti written, as he wrote them so to speak, backwards. He didn’t intend there to be four of them, but with each of the first three, he wasn’t satisfied, feeling more backstory was needed (he was right about that). However, since he wrote all the libretti before even a note of music, this one was the first one composed and the first one performed. It’s short for a Wagner opera – under three hours. The production is interesting – the only colors in it are the bright gold, and people’s skin tones (the skin which is visible – there are a lot of tattoos.) Everything else is black, gray, or white. (The Rainbow Bridge scene wasn’t photographed – I don’t know what they did with that.) I remember in the late seventies the Met tried a black and whie production, but for some reason they did it with Carmen. The run was a success because they had Jon Vickers and Marilyn Horne, but they never did that again. It does suit Das Rheingold a bit better – it’s a sordid story, and the beauty of the music can’t conceal that, even had he wanted to. In my opinion, which with $5.00 or se will get you a cup of coffee, the easiest of the four to listen to is “Die Walkure,” but “Das Rheingold” is the next easiest. After those, it gets complicated. I’m off to see Virgil now. I’ll comment when I get back.

This is the kind of story which really scares me. I may be staunchly PC as opposed to Apple – but that certainly doesn’t mean I think Microsoft is perfect. Far from it. If fidgeting with my hair were one of my coping mechanisms, I would be tearing it out daily over updates which reduce efficiency. But I never thought it was this bad. But here we are. And now what do we do?

Heather Cox Richardson (and Joe Biden) on the history of NATO. It occurred me that if our membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organiztion is in fact a Treaty in the sense that the Constitution requires our membership in it to be authorized by Congress, then getting out of it should require Congressional approval as well. And – while we could, we got Congress to pass a law to that effect.

Open Thread July 13 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:08 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 132024

Yesterday, Robert Reich posted Episode #7 in his DEBUNK series. Also, the New York Times finally nailed Trump** – in an opinion piece (SMH). At least it was the full board, and I have to admit they did it thoroughly. We don’t need to be told this. But you may know people who do. Not MAGAts, who won’t listen, but “independents” and “undecideds.” And people who have never heard of Project 2025 (Joyce herself ran into one of these a few days ago. She says she didn’t try to convey the full scope of it, but instead focused on a topic close to the person’s heart. This person was a naturalized citizen, so she focused on immigration.)
Here’s the gift link from Joyce Vance

Mary Trump makes some very sound points here. I hope that the American people are not too caught up in the hysteria to hear her message.

Wonkette knows, and AOC knows, that this won’t go anywhere in the current House. But Wonkette also points out that that fact is “half her point.” I personally am more interested in the other half – but that’s me.

Open Thread July 12 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 122024

A few days ago, the Lincoln Project released a new video – a Doomsday video. It’s a bit over four minutes, which is long for them, but the details demanded it. As bad as it is, and as long as it is, it’s still only a fraction But please watch it – and share it where it will do the most good. Now, yesterday, I got a call from one of my California cousins. She’s the same age that I am but less mobile – and doesn’t have any equipment but a plain cane – not even a quad cane. I gave her some information on walkers and said I’d send a note confirming it, so I had to stop and do that (it took longer than I thought, because the place where I got mine doesnn’t have a paper catalog, and she is computer illiterate So I had to . But though I may end up posting this later than usual, y’all won’t notice the difference, since I schedule ahead. 🙂

Joyce Vance is, or should be the go-to on Project 2025. And she should also be the go-to in the Republican Parrty’s “official platform” – their first in 8 years – which more or less follows Project 2025 but omits any mention of abortion or marriage (because they know their stands are even more unpopular than the rest of the project.) Sso don’t be fooled by the “official platform.” They are just as determined to eliminate all abortion (and way too many pregnant women with it) and gay and interracial marriage as they have ever been.

I don’t suppose this is news to anyone – they have been doing it creepingly for literally decades. But it won’t be creepingly any more if they get into office. It will be more like a nuclear bomb.

Now here is an idea whose time has come. There are so many reasons why this makes perfect sense. As aperson living in Colorado, I have seen a lot of abandoned mines, and have worried a great deal about someone – especially cildren – getting trapped there. And that isn’t even the best reason – only the most obviously compassionate one.

Open Thread July 11 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:05 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 112024

Yesterday, I sent a letter to my Senator, Michael Bennet, who is normally intelligent, but who has apparently been hypnotized by Republican propoganda regarding Joe Biden. I’ll put the full text in a comment sometime today. I also signed up for a virtual fundraiser Robert Hubbell is setting up with DNC Treasurer Virginia McGregor in aboout a week. Also, Crooks and Liars shared a 6 minute video about Project 2025 – perfect for sharing.

I’ve been thinking – a lot – of the Third Reich and all its abuses of humanity. But history has a lot more in it for us to learn from than just that. Heather Cox Richardson looks at the French elections which just happened, and, although their system is very different from ours, she points to the coalition which formed around Lincoln in 1854 and enabled Congress to defeat the Kansas-Nebraska Act (the same coalition which later elected Lincoln to the Presidency.) They had a lot of differences, but they were able to look beyond those and see a real danger. So we have done it before. And we can do it again. (I added the second column because it addresses the same issues that the New York Times does below – but with a whole lot more common sense. Incidentally, it’s probably not coincidence that she refers to Taling Points Memo – which also referred to her.)

The New York Times is really getting unbelievable. Even if dude was there to see Joe, that does not make the visits necessarily about Parkinson’s. My PCP of well over 20 years has a”specialty” of chelation – something which I have never had done.

Open Thread July 10 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:59 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 102024

Yesterday, I got an email from Common Cause sharing its accomplishments at the state level. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything a their website with the same information. They cite four states – Ohio, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Connecticut (I’m far less worried about New Mexico and Connecticut than about the other two.) Also, Colorado now has avian flu in Weld County (dairy ranching country, nowhere near me) and one case of bubonic plague in Pueblo County (I’m 15 miles from the county line, but do go there to visit Virgil.) With only the one case and the experts looking into it, I’m not worried about it now, but I will be watching for updates. And then, i learned Steve Schmodt, after losing two family dogs within months of each other, has a new puppy, a 3 pound Havanese named Mabel.

Jasmine Crockett is someone we need more of. Smart – but not only smart, but also knowledgable and realistic. I hope Democrats are listening.

Marcie Jones is fairly new at Wonkette, but she has the style down. Here she points out that, as bad as Project 2025 is, Trump’s personal plans may be even worse

“Morals of an Alley Cat”, Tfrump, political cartoon

Open Thread July 9 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:06 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 092024

Yesterday, I learned that Mary Trump now has some merch. Only one T-shirt at this point, but a good one. If you’re not interested in that (or even if you are), you might want to read this from her – it’s encouraging. Also, I baked another batch of muffins.

Every week, Joyce Vance puts out a column called “The Week Ahead.” It generally comes in so late on Sunday that I can’t put it up Monday, and this week was no exception. But I think it’s important to post anyway. After a holiday weekend, y’all may not be expecting an eventful week, but it may be. There are things going on with unpredictable outcomes to watch for. And besides that, it’s one heck of a pep talk.

It appears to me that this is an excellent idea. Provided no one gets hurt trying it. Those (expletive deleted) are violent, and many are armed. (Of course, turning the tables on them may be so shocking that they could be immobilized.)

Open Thread July 8 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:09 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 082024

Yesterday, I didn’t do a whole lot. I’ve been trying to do stuff around the house – mostly too piddling to mentiom – and today I had even less time than usual since I slept in. What little I did do would take longer to explain than it did to accomplish. But there is s-l-o-w progress going on. Trnette was visiting family today -actually for the holiday weekend. I’m not totally sure which family – she has some on both coasts – but my guess would be southern California as that’s where her Mom lives. But I’m managing.

This is a very positive article. I don’t know why so many people, including even some black people, seem to think that black people as a group are not very bright. I would bet there are some white spoiled brats running around who are dumber than some black youths who grew up with leaded water.

This is serious good news to me. The Catholic Church in the United States is about as polarized theologically as the country is politically. Possibly this will send a dignal to the other bishops in the MAGA camp (such as Cordiloene in San Francisco – and isn’t that a mob name?), and failing that, maybe they will follow Vigano into excommunication. It’s way past time.

Open Thread July 7 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:09 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 072024

Yesterday, the radio opera was Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” I think everyone knows the “Don Juan” story, and I have seen and heard it many times since I was introduced to it in college. I think this is the first production which attempted to bring a little “Me Too” spirit to it – for one thing, setting parts of it in a butcher shop. Of course being Mozart, the music is wonderful, and the singers were competent. I also received a grocery order – not large in volume but kind of pricey. Light bulbs and fancy coffee will do that, despite other sales.

This is one of his best columns. It’s on the topic od down-ballot roll-off. I remember TomCat used to complain about it. But now at least someone is doing something about it. He has a video with her (but no CC – sigh), but he also talks about her organization “Sister District,” and what it’s doing. At the end of his article, he provides a link to an interview of Heather Cox Richardson by Christiane Amanpour whish does have CC (it has it in the upper left of the screen, and if you accidentally let your mouse slip into the video part of the screen, it gets covered. Also, after you click on the video in the list, you need to scroll to the top of the screen to see it. Not difficult, just different.) She doesn’t mince words.

I didn’t even hear the rumor until yesterday. Of couuse I don’t frequent places which peddle stuff like this, so that’s probably why.

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