Open Thread–2/6/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 062020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. Store to Door is delivering groceries some time this afternoon. I hoped to get an early nap., My stomach acted up all day yesterday, and Stumpy has been underdoing a rare bout of phantom nerve pain for over 24 hours. It feels like someone is stabbing my left ankle with a knife, but I don’t have a left ankle. I hoped to get an early nap, but that appears unlikely. ARGH!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:03 (average 6:51). To to it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In the aftermath of Pete Buttigieg’s strong showing in the Iowa caucuses, Donald J. Trump accused the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor of engaging in “suspicious travel” to Afghanistan.

“People are saying that he went to Afghanistan for seven months in 2014,” Trump told the hosts of “Fox & Friends” in a phone call. “Seven months is a long time to be running around in a Muslim country full of terrorists, don’t you think?”

He added that Buttigieg reportedly had a gun with him while he was in Afghanistan, a fact that Trump said “sounds fishy to me.”

“Let’s see, you fly all the way to a Muslim country full of all of these terrorists who need guns, and you’re bringing a gun into a country like that?” Trump said. “Who was he planning to give that gun to?”

“I don’t know if he was part of some caliphate or just helping them out, but we ought to find out,” he said. “I have a call in to the President of Afghanistan.”

Dang Andy! Do you think he was part of an evil conspiracy with gay Muslim terrorists? Far more likely, Trump* will get a second asterisk on his name from his coming “perfect” call to President Ashraf Ghani! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Trae Crowder Channel): Liberal Redneck – Pelosi Disrespects Trump

FOMCPIMPROTFLMAO! I could not agree more! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Jeff Merkley Channel): Statement on the Senate Impeachment Vote of Donald J. Trump

Spot-on, Jeff! Once again I’m proud to have volunteered for his campaign. Oregon leads the way! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Good, the Bad and the Ugly • Main Theme • Ennio Morricone

Ah… the spaghetti westerns! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–2/5/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:19 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 052020

It’s a hectic day, here in the CatBox. I still haven’t recovered from Monday’s ordeal. Last night, I accidently heard part of Trump’s* address, almost lost my supper, and felt nauseous for the rest of the evening. This morning, I broke through three days of Republicitis. I’m hoping Republicosis does not follow it, as it often does. WWWendy is coming this evening, and I’m totally ready for de-stinking. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:55 (average 4:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: The Rotating (Regional) Primary Plan

Recommended by the National Association of Secretaries of State in 2000, this plan would divide the country into four regions—Northeast, South, Midwest, and West. There would be four primary days, one for each region. They would rotate every cycle. The original plan preserved the Iowa/New Hampshire duopoly, but just ditch it and rotate. Would work fine. Perhaps my favorite.

I guess I wasn’t the first to think of the idea I proposed yesterday. Great minds fall in the same ditch, after all. Please click through to see four more primary scheduling plans. RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: Calling the delay in the release of the Iowa caucus results “a threat to democracy,” the state of Florida has offered to help Iowa with the vote-counting process.

Harland Dorrinson, a spokesman for Florida’s official electoral commission, said on Tuesday morning that “Florida stands ready and willing to restore credibility to Iowa’s vote-tabulation procedures.”

Dorrinson added that Katherine Harris, Florida’s former secretary of state, was eager to “roll up her sleeves and clean up Iowa’s mess.”

“Just say the word, Iowa, and Katherine Harris will be on the next plane out,” he said.

Dang, Andy! Are you sure that’s Harland Dorrinson? I heard it was his brother, Chad! Or did they hang him? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence – Madison Square Garden, NYC – 2009/10/29&30

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–1/31/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:45 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 312020

It’s a muggy, tired day here in the CatBox. I missed most of my nap yesterday, due to grocery delivery, and I’m feeling really pooped. TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:10 (average 5:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Sen. Rand Paul has not been getting enough attention during this impeachment process, so he executed his predictable and promised stunt on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon, submitting a question to Chief Justice John Roberts during the Q&A session that presumably contained the name of the whistleblower. Roberts refused to read the question, so Paul left the floor to have an “impromptu” press conference (and probably hit the send button on a fundraising email).

CNN’s Manu Raju reports, “At press conference, Paul says: ‘I can tell you my question made no reference to any whistleblower.’ Then Paul reads aloud his question which names a Schiff’s staff member and names the individual who has been reported as possible whistleblower—and asks about their contacts.” This was an apparent effort to get the press to publish the name, since he seems intent on getting the whistleblower killed.

It likely won’t work. One reporter asked, “With all due respect, shouldn’t you be at the impeachment hearing right now?” Of course he should have been, and the sergeant-at-arms should be putting him in the Senate jail right now.

Mitch (ours, not BBMMM) suggested a parade. For now, I’ll just remember his title: Idiot (Rand Paul), Son of Idiot (Ron Paul), Named after Idiot (Ayn Rand). Lock him up! RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: The convicted drug lord known as El Chapo said on Thursday that he was “outraged” his 2019 trial had included witnesses. He also revealed that he was demanding a new trial without them.

Speaking from ADX Florence, a maximum-security facility in Colorado, the former drug kingpin complained that his trial would have resulted in a speedy acquittal had it not been for the irritating presence of witnesses.

“If I had to point to one reason why I was convicted of all of those crimes, it would have to be witnesses,” he said. “Once the decision was made to include witnesses, things really went downhill for me.”

Andy, El Chapo does make a valid point. If the worst criminal in US History, since Benedict Arnold, gets a trial with no witnesses or documents, fairness demands that witnesses be excluded from all trials. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Bob Dylan – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Unplugged)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–1/28/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:09 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 282020

It’s I tired day here in the CatBox. I haven’t visited the throne since 3:00 AM, si I hope the Imodium caught up to the Republicosis. The Republican Trump* defense team finishes today. Are you as sick of those sphincters as I am? Have a great day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:36 (average 5:41). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Donald J. Trump has “no intention whatsoever” of having John Bolton’s book read aloud to him, Trump confirmed on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that his daughter, Ivanka Trump, had obtained a draft manuscript of the Bolton book and had offered to read it aloud to him “like she does with all of the other books,” Trump said.

“She reads the books to me slowly and stops when there’s a long word to tell me what it means,” Trump said. “But I told her that the Bolton book was the last book in the world that I wanted to hear.”

Dang Andy! Isn’t it a shame Senate Republicans will imitate their criminal Fuhrer? RESIST!!

From YouTube (Vox Channel): How Iran’s Soleimani became a US target

This is a well presented, unbiased history lesson to help you better understand the region, while allowing you the freedom to make your own judgement without propaganda. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Lona’s past): The Joker

Ah… Lona’s memories! Thanks Lona! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–1/25/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:32 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 252020

I’ve been throwing up most of the morning, but am pushing through, because I don’t want to get behind. Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, so please expect no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread. Have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 5:34). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Desperately trying to change the narrative after a week of damaging presentations, Donald J. Trump’s defense team is scrambling to find an example of one law that Trump did not break, sources confirmed on Friday.

In concert with two of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent defenders, Alan Dershowitz and Kenneth Starr, Trump’s personal attorney Jay Sekulow has been scouring federal, state, and municipal law books in the hopes of finding one statute that Trump, for whatever reason, did not violate.

“So far, no luck,” a source close to the defense team said.

Dang, Andy! They’re going to be searching forever! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Attorney: Trump caught on tape demanding ambassador’s firing

I’d recognize that pig squeal anywhere! Is there anything that the criminal Trump* has not lied about? RESIST!!

From YouTube (Adam Schiff Channel): Rep. Schiff Concludes Senate Trial Argument: Give America a Fair Trial. She’s Worth It.

Schiff was masterful. Now get ready for wall to wall lies and obfuscation from the Republican Reich! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Simon & Garfunkel – Mrs. Robinson (Audio)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/15/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:57 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 152020

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox. It’s cold out, and we had a light dusting of snow. WWWendy will come this evening to de-stink the raunchy TomCat, help with chores, and put out my out clothes for tomorrow. Tomorrow is my preliminary appointment with the thoracic surgeon, who will excise my lung tumors. I leave at around 7:00 AM and return around Noon. Therefore, please expect no more than a minimal Personal Update from me tomorrow. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:44 (average 8:29). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Rudolph Giuliani’s offer to act as Donald J. Trump’s defense attorney at the President’s impeachment trial has received unanimous support from congressional Democrats, who are now demanding that he perform such a role.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer told reporters on Tuesday that Giuliani’s participation as Trump’s lawyer during his Senate trial was, as far as they were concerned, “nonnegotiable.”

“Rudy Giuliani has demonstrated over the past three years that he can represent the President as no one else can,” Pelosi said. “If he is not the President’s lawyer in the Senate, that would be a deal-breaker for me.”

Concurring with Pelosi, Schumer added, “My Democratic colleagues in the Senate are prepared to pay Mr. Giuliani’s hourly fees, in cash, to make this thing happen.”

Dang, Andy! That would be wonderful! With Rudy 911 representing his Fuhrer, even Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch might vote to convict and remove! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Shocking New Evidence Rocks Trump Impeachment Before Senate Trial

Marie Jovanovich should be very, very afraid. Robert F. Hyde, the Republican congressional candidate stalking her for Trump*, looks like as vile a Republican pervert as Judge Roy Moore, Injustice Kavanookie, or even the biggest pervert of all, impeached Fuhrer Trump*. RESIST!!

From CBS: [BREAKING] House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has revealed the impeachment managers for President Trump’s upcoming Senate trial, naming the members who will prosecute the case against the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

She announced her selections Wednesday morning:

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries
Congresswoman Val Demings
Congressman Jason Crow
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia

Godspeed, one and all! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Pictures of Matchstick Men

I love the wah wah guitar in this one! Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/14/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:49 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 142020

It’s an easier day here in the CatBox, but they don’t get much harder than yesterday. Breakfast was touch and go, but I managed to keep everything down since yesterday. I hope you all have a great day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:33 (average 5:28). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Should we upgrade that charge to treason?

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In a positive sign for the former New York mayor, a new poll indicates that an increasing number of Americans would vote for Michael Bloomberg if that would make him stop airing campaign ads.

The poll found that sixteen per cent of those surveyed were “somewhat likely” to vote for Bloomberg if that would convince him to stop airing ads, twenty-one per cent were “very likely” to do so for that reason, and a whopping thirty-three per cent “strongly agreed” with the statement “Seriously, I’ll do whatever he wants—please, just make them stop right now.”

By contrast, only eight per cent said that they would vote for Bloomberg’s fellow-billionaire Tom Steyer if that would make Steyer stop airing his ads.

At Bloomberg campaign headquarters, in New York, the campaign’s chief strategist, Harland Dorrinson, said that the poll numbers made it clear that “Mike’s ads are having exactly their desired effect.”

Dang Andy! If I had a nickel for every time I’ve tuned out a Bloomberg ad, we could both retire! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Sources: Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren that a woman couldn’t win

The “Bernie Bros” should not be attacking Liz. They should be attacking Trump*. Bernie owes Liz an apology for some of his followers’ Republican-like, anti-progressive behavior, and he needs to muzzle his troops. CNN is useless for their insistence on equalizing both sides! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Psychotic Reaction

Is this an advance reaction to today’s Republican Reich? Ah… the memories!! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/9/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:04 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 092020

It’s another tired/busy day, here in the CatBox. WWWendy was stuck in a traffic jam on the freeway last night, so she arrived late, I ate late, and I got to bed late. It’s a grocery delivery day from Store to Door, so I have to put them away. I hope they come in the Noon to 1:00 range, instead of mid afternoon, but I never know. I’m queasy every day, but I held lunch, supper and breakfast down. I hope your day is full of love and resistance against the Republican Reich.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:47 (average 5:05). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Donald J. Trump is “incredibly angry” at Iran for taking the American people’s attention away from his impeachment for only about two days, Trump told reporters on Wednesday.

“When I did that drone strike, I was under the impression that it would knock impeachment out of the news for at least a month,” a visibly enraged Trump said. “Instead, it’s Wednesday and we’re back to this Pelosi garbage.”

Trump said that he had hoped that Iranians would react to his provocation in a way that might have forced Democrats to forget about impeaching him altogether, but “all I got for my trouble was a chickenshit couple of days.”

“Honestly, Iran reacted like it was Belgium or something,” Trump said.

Spot-on, Andy! You made it clear that the so-called “terrorist” side of the conflict is more sane than Republican side. RESIST!!

From NY Times: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose health has become a preoccupation of the American public as the Supreme Court hews rightward under President Trump, announced this week that she was cancer-free.

Justice Ginsburg, 86, one of four liberal justices on the nine-member court, told CNN in a wide-ranging interview on Tuesday that treatment for a malignant tumor on her pancreas had been successful.

God bless Justice RBG and keep her alive, safe and healthy, at least until Putin’s Pervert* is no longer the impeached Resident, and Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch is no longer Senate Majority Fuhrer. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Congress Unimpressed By Trump Admin Explanation For Iran Attack

Sadly, did we expect anything else? Andy Borowitz gave us the only real explanation for the attack. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Fleetwood Mac – Dreams

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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