Open Thread December 20 2024

 Posted by at 6:01 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 202024
 

Yesterday, I was having computer issues again. I’m not in the greatest of moods. If this is up in the morning today, you’ll know I managed to get it up – and then essentially quit for the day.

Of course, no single article (probably no single book) can actually go into Every single aspect of patriarchy which makes it both so awful and so unassailable. I don’t even think Wonkette is trying to do that here. But if you are still wondering why Kamala did not win, or why I am saying at every opportunity to say it that Democrats simply cannot afford to sacrifice the best and brightest of our women on the altar of equality, it may give you a glimpse of the answers.

The 19th has some new information about air pollution. I remember a time when one could take the air one breathes for granted. When I say I remember, I mean I just barely remember – and I am 79. I suspect not all of our readers will remember this at all. Humans can be very, very slow learners – a fact which generally only becomes noticed when everyone’s health is threatened – and even then, many don’t notice – or care.

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Open Thread December 17 2024

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 172024
 

Yesterday, I set up all the e-Christmas cards for y’all and my personal list. I like them to go out early – not everyone checks their email on special days, so I scheduled them to go out the 23rd. (And that includes a birthday card to Trinette, who was born on Christmas. Is that appropriate, or what! And her children were also born on or very close to holidays. Her older son was born Jan 3 and the younger on Valentine’s Day.)

This kind of goes along with what Robert Reich was saying last week about the story of “The Rot at the Top,” and the need to re-associate it with the actual roe et the top, namely corporation CEOs.

The title of this The F* News article includes the phrase “A Running Tally,” which suggests to me that it may be worth saving the link. Of course, with Trump**, it’s a coin flip whether a broken promise is a good or a bad thing, depending on what the promise was and how it is broken. Obviously, this can’t cover everything – but it is a needed attempt to start bearing witness.

Belle judges

Cat

Today’s cartoon is a video for Christmas making fun of MAGA-type Christianity. I hope it gives you a chuckle or two.

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Open Thread December 15 2024

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 152024
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “Grounded” by Jeanine Tesori, a new (2023) commission from the Met. I’ve linked to the Wikipedia page on it – I won’t even try to summarize it – but I would love to know what Tammy Duckworth would think of it, if she were to watch it or listen to it – though I would not be surprised if she didn’t want to. The music is very listenable, which should not surprise anyone, as it is from the composer of two Tony-winning Broadway musicals plus “Shrek the Musical,” as well as other operas. Alo, I suppose I should say something about the drone sightings over New Jersey, NYC, and Connecticut, but sine I don’t know any facts, I don’t have anything to say. I can say the Cory Booker is concerned and pressing for information. So now I’m off to see Virgil, and will check in when I return.

Straight from The Root, a piece of good news for a Sunday.

This is Part I of Robert Reich‘s analysis of how we need to develop our messaging (Part II follows below). He may be right – I’m a great believer in the power of story – but the proposition bothers me because, although to of the tories lead to care for others and to justice, two lead to hard hearts and injustice.

Robert Reich Part II. A couple of comments are shown in the free version, and one of them points out that some Democrats have no difficulty with properly identifying the “rot at the top.” The commenter cites Sanders and Warren, but my first thoughts upon reading the subtitle were for AOC, Katie Porter, and Jasmine Crockett.

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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 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 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 5 2024

 Posted by at 6:10 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 052024
 

Yesterday, the exterminator came and checked inside and out. He said there was a little activity indoors, which didn’t surprise me because last time he came too early and didn’t check inside. I just need to make sure that either the email specified an afternoon time or else I call to confirm that. Here are a couple of extras –
Andy Borowitz
Richardson on the failed coup in Korea

This is from Driftglass, though I found it through Crooks and Liars. Sometimes a really crude analogy is what is needed to make a point (and this one is about as crude as it gets.)

This is a history from Heather Cox Richardson specifically of how the liberal consensus, which I grew up with and so did many of you, was formed – and of what happened to it. And why we need it back – but not exactly how to do that. In my opinion, it’s a keeper – not that I expect to be able to do much of the work. And I have no children or grandchildren. But those of you who do will want, I am sure, to preserve for them as much of it as possible.

Robert Reich endorses Ben Winkler for DNC Chair, and makes what I would consider a strong case. But, you know, there are a lot of Democrats in leadership positions who would disagree. We’d need to convincing that it isn’t just that we are losing with their mode – it’s that their model is causing the losing trend. (BTW, everyone else spells it “Wikler” so Robert Reich may be wrong in his spelling.

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