Open Thread January 1 2025

 Posted by at 5:52 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 012025
 

Yesterday, my prediction was not wrong – I received well over 200 emails (180 just by noon.) The number I actually had to open, however, was about the same  as usual – between 40 and 50. I managed to deal with them. A few were unexpected. Otherwise the day was pretty calm. Which is fine with me. Every day being calm is my idea of living my best life.

Harry Litman of Talking Feds addresses the development of disagreement going on in the Republican Party, particularly in the Trump** administration (including potential administration if he can get them confirmed, which doesn’t look like a certainty – although any of the current rogues’ gallery of nominees is too many.) My feeling is that, since I don’t see how we can look for anything positive from (or under) this administration, the best we can hope for from is “presidency” is nothing at all. I would think internal feuding would make that increasingly likely – so I just hope they all eat each others’ faces.

The headline post from The F* News – “Sanders Calls Trump’s Bluff” is already promising, and does not disappoint. But there’s also more in the post. Read as much as you like. Not bad for a slow news day.

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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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Video Thread 4/30/2021

 Posted by at 2:27 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Apr 302021
 

Glenn Kirschner – Justice never just happens. It’s good we have people like Glenn (I wish we had more of them.)

Meidas Touch talks with Ro Khanna

The Lincoln Project – I know everyone is sick of Matt Getz .. but this is too funny.

The Damage Report – It is a start. I know it feels like we have been waiting forever.

Ring of Fire – Even a small shot at Trump** is nice when it’s from itch.

Armageddon Update – Titus addresses bothsiderism.

Beau on Wayne LaPierre’s “little trip.”

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Video Thread 4/7/2021

 Posted by at 1:18 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Apr 072021
 

Meidas Touch – Media slant

The Lincoln Project “Matt Gaetz”

Trae on Georgia boycotts

MSNBC – BBMM makes Bernie laugh (OK, it’s actually more of a sardonic grin.)

American Bridge – I try to include something funny that’s not political – but so much today that’s political is funny – in presentation, if not in subject – the new “Karen” can wait a day or two.

Beau talks about Beau, and a story

Keith, from yesterday – straight from Madison Suare Garden.

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Video Thread 2/3/2021

 Posted by at 4:08 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Feb 032021
 

Really American

Now This News – I don’t know why people can’t grasped that he WAS IMPEACHED WHILE IN OFFICE and the a TRIAL NEEDS TO FOLLOW and that has nothing to do with whether he is still in office.

The Damage Report – The headline is an oversell, but there is good info.

A tweet just for fun

Puppet Regime

Rocky Mountain Mike (be nice if he’d do Boebert also)

Beau – I’ve been sitting on this one for a while, to give us some breathing time – but it needs to be seen sooner or later. Especially by younger people.

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Video Thread 1/26/2021

 Posted by at 3:46 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 262021
 

Meidas Touch – (Debra Messing also wants Trump** in prison, BTW)

Now This news – All is not well even though Trump** is out of office.

Really American – Marjorie Taylor Greene

The Alt-Right Playbook – Control the Conversation

Drew from WellRED

Beau on Bernie and the budget.

Beau on impeachment procedures (ACCOUNTABILITY)

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Open Thread – 1/23/2021

 Posted by at 10:57 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 232021
 

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox, but my pain level is better than it was yesterday.  I think the Republicitis was exacerbating the pain.  Tomorrow is a High Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb.  I will spend the late afternoon booing Josh Hawley and watching my Portland Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills for the NFC title.  Tomorrow please expect no more than a Personal Update.  I have a video meeting with prison volunteer coworkers and former prisoners.  Have a fine weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:06 (average 5:09).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Seven Senate Democrats are demanding that the Senate Committee on Ethics open an investigation in the actions of Republican Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz for their actions related to the Jan. 6 violent insurrection against Congress.

The two “amplified claims of election fraud that had resulted in threats of violence against state and local officials around the country,” the Democrats write. The group—Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)—notes that the Senate has the exclusive power to determine whether the members’ actions violated Senate ethics rules. They are asking the Ethics Committee to carry out a “thorough and fair investigation and consider any appropriate consequences based on the Committee’s findings.”

“When Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley announced they would object to the counting of state-certified electors on January 6, 2021, they amplified claims of election fraud that had resulted in threats of violence against state and local officials around the country,” the senators write. “While Congress was debating Senator Cruz’s objection, a violent mob stormed the Capitol. These insurrectionists ransacked the building, stole property, and openly threatened Members of Congress and the Vice President.” The two didn’t just help incite the riot, the Democrats wrote, but “[b]y proceeding with their objections to the electors after the violent attack, Senators Cruz and Hawley lent legitimacy to the mob’s cause and made future violence more likely.”

The senators write of their concern that members of Congress could have been involved in the coordination not just of the rally that preceded the attack on the Capitol, but the attack itself. They provide a detailed and well-researched account of the events of the day as well as the background to it, including the threats of violence that were leveled against officials prior to Jan. 6, threats incited by Trump’s fraud claims and reinforced by Hawley and Cruz, who “lent legitimacy to President Trump’s false statements about election fraud by announcing that they would object to the certification of electors on January 6.”

I fully support this move. If these RNP (Republican Nazi Party) traitors are allowed to get away with it, they and others will surely do it again.  RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Complete bunk’: Erin Burnett calls out Sen. Hawley’s explanation

 

As long as Biden agrees to the delay, it works for me. It also gives more time to gather evidence sufficiently obvious that it forces Republicans to either proclaim their own treason, like Cruz and Hawley, or to vote to convict.  RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (Bernie Sanders Channel): We Cannot Reach Out To Republicans Indefinitely.

 

I fully agree. Republicans are most adept at holding out a fair negotiated agreement as a promise to Democrats in order to gain an advantage, only to act like Lucy with a football. Give them a chance, but one only.  RESIST the Republican Reich!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Fleetwood Mac – Landslide (Official Music Video)

 

Ah… the memories. We needed a landslide. We got one!  RESIST the Republican Reich!!

Build the Future. It Belongs to YOU!

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Video Thread 1/22/2021

 Posted by at 3:37 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Jan 222021
 

Speaker Pelosi on Impeachment and Unity

The Lincoln Project is also taking on Hawley. (And Meidas Touch is also taking on Cruz.) All their help is appreciated.

Meidas Touch (https://www.democraticunderground.com/emoticons/hattip.gif Mitch)

Founders Sing – “Impeached Again (Naturally)”

Now This News – As a Bernie Sanders lover who is also a knitter, I could not resist this.

“Insurrection-y Street” – a child could understand it.

This may not be the timing I would have employed to play this, but it was a request video. It is 6 minutes 43 seconds – and don’t start it if you can’t finish it – because it needs to be seen in full.

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