Open Thread–6/21/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:55 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics, Religion

Jun 212020

It’s a better Sunday, here in the CatBox. My Fentanyl patch has helped my pain level and reduced my use of Oxycodone considerably. Tomorrow I have a morning visit from a Providence Home Health doctor, so how much I publish will depend on how long she is here. Kudos to all Dads.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:18 (average 5:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0621TrumpVirusMap

Cases: 2,331,673
Deaths: 122,005
Recovered: 973,061

Short Takes:

From Alternet: On Friday night, Attorney General William Barr issued a statement saying that the U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffry Berman, had resigned. That was a lie. Not only had Berman not resigned, he had told Barr repeatedly that he would not resign, and had turned down other roles at the Department of Justice. So, about an hour after Barr’s statement, Berman issued a statement of his own, telling Barr to stuff it. Actually, Berman stated that he had been “appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York” and that he would only step down “when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate.” Berman is in the middle of a number of highly sensitive investigations, including an ongoing investigation of Donald Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani and his associates in Trump’s Ukraine scandal. So his removal clearly signals that Barr is, once again, placing Trump’s desires far ahead of such arcane ideas as justice, or the nation.

On Saturday afternoon, Barr produced a new statement. He’s given up the pretense that Berman has resigned. Instead Barr says, “I have asked the president to remove you as of today, and he has done so.” According to Barr, this makes assistant U. S. Attorney Audrey Strauss the new acting U. S. Attorney, but considering Barr’s knowledge and application of the law, odds are he’s simply lying again. Hilariously, Barr claims there’s no danger of there being an issue with ongoing cases because … the inspector general will see to that. As everyone knows, Trump and Barr just respect the hell out of inspectors general.

SDNY’s Geoffrey Berman has resigned. Perhaps he’ll have time to testify to Congress now.

Criminal Fuhrer Trump* claims that Barrf did this on his own. He claims he had nothing to do with it. One, or far more likely, both, are lying. Barrf lacks the authority to fire a US Attorney. RESIST!!

From YouTube (John Pavlovitz Channel): 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER TO SAY TO GRIEVING PEOPLE. How Our Words Can Magnify Other’s Loss

Very well said, by an Authentic Christian (the polar opposite of a Republican pseudo-Christian). I could not agree more! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel):Facts don’t support what Trump, Pence say about coronavirus

Trump* Virus is an ongoing disaster, just like criminal Fuhrer Trump and the Republican Reich, who are making it so much worse. Here in Oregon, the most recent spike comes from a Pentecostal Church in Eastern Oregon. There Republican pseudo-Christians (the opposite of real authentic Christians) are practicing Republican guidelines on Sunday and infecting their neighbors Monday through Saturday. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): “REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE” THE MARMALADE ~ 1969 – original recording ~ HQ AUDIO

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–5/10/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:33 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

May 102020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. WWWendy will be here within the hour. Tomorrow is a chemo infusion day. I have to be in the lobby for the TriMet Lift Bus at 6:22. Happy Holiday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:40 (average 4:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0510TrumpVirusMap

Cases: 1,349,538
Deaths: 80,098
Recovered: 238,081

To all Moms!:

Short Takes:

From NY Times: “History is written by the winners,” William Barr, the attorney general, said Thursday when asked how he thought future generations would assess his decision to drop all criminal charges against Michael Flynn, President Trump’s former national security adviser, who had pleaded guilty twice to breaking the law. “So it largely depends on who’s writing the history.”

In service to Mr. Trump, Mr. Barr is abusing his power not to write, but to erase, some of the most important lessons of American history.

The Watergate scandal, with its revelations of how dangerous a renegade White House could be, led to reforms meant to ensure an independent Justice Department, one faithful to the law rather than to the Oval Office.

The nation had seen firsthand how much harm a president with no respect for the rule of law could do — particularly when he used the Justice Department, under a compliant attorney general, to protect allies, punish adversaries and cover up wrongdoing.

Click through for an extensive expose of crimes Barff has committed on behalf of his beloved criminal Fuhrer Trump*. RESIST!!

From YouTube (SNL Channel): Virtual Graduation Cold Open

It’s hard to believe that even one student voted for him. The LiMu Emu would have been a far better choice than Trump*! Where is Booth, when you need him? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Wild World

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–3/3/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:22 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 032020

It’s a very busy day here in the CatBox. I had to prepare and send my grocery order. I spent over an hour on the phone trying to line up the oncologist for my cancer treatments. I think I have, but I still have no results from my PET Scan. I’m hoping for a call tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted. I still have to do the prep work for covering Super Tuesday. I am experimenting with mi diet and found that I’m not plugging the passageway as badly, when I eat a soft solid food and goop together. Yesterday for lunch I had a small portion of ground turkey sandwich. That was borderline. For supper, I had chili goop over rice. That worked great. For breakfast, I had New England clam chowder goop with a bite of saltine with each bite of goop. That worked well too. May Liz and Bernie kick ass today!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:36 (average 5:10): To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Alternet: A former Justice Department attorney compared her service under President Donald Trump as somewhere in between Nazi Germany and “The Apprentice.”

Erica Newland went to work at the Department of Justice in the summer before the 2016 election, and stayed under Trump because she liked her colleagues and believed she could make a difference — but soon learned an uncomfortable truth about herself, reported The Atlantic.

“I guess I know what kind [of German bureaucrat] I would have been,” Newland said, imagining how she might have served in the 1930s. “I would have stayed in the Nazi administration initially and then fled.”

She lasted in Trump’s government until October 2018, when an anti-Semitic extremist killed 11 worshipers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, and that same week her colleagues at the Office of Legal Counsel were tasked with justifying Trump’s order to refuse all asylum claims at the southern border — mirroring language the gunman had used against foreign “invaders.”

Newland, who is Jewish, recalled an exchange she had with a supervisor who often reminded staffers they worked for the president by saying, “We’re just following orders.

The bureaucrats under Hitler were “just following orders” too. What’s the difference? Fuhrer Hitler’s Nazi Reich was the Third Reich. Criminal Fuhrer Trump’s* Republican Reich is the Fifth Reich. The similarities are undeniable. RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) is under intense pressure to drop out of the 2020 race for the Democratic Presidential nomination, her nine supporters announced on Monday.

The announcement from Gabbard’s nine followers surprised many Democrats, who had been unaware that the Hawaii congresswoman was still running.

In a conference call after the South Carolina primary, the nine members of Team Tulsi concluded that Gabbard’s path to the nomination had grown “dauntingly narrow.”

“We believe that Tulsi would be an amazing President of the United States,” Harland Dorrinson, a spokesman for the other eight Gabbard supporters, said. “But we have regretfully come to the conclusion that this is not her time.”

Andy, is that a good idea? The nine fools stupid enough to vote for Tulsi should still vote for her. That way, they won’t damage the nation by voting for Bloombarf or criminal Fuhrer Trump*. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): What Bernie Skeptics Need to Know Before Super Tuesday

Of course the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right, and the Reich on the Right, the evil Republican Reich, in addition to corporate Democrats, have their heads up their asses. 1. Amen! FDR was a democratic socialist. Amen! Trump promised reform and delivered National Socialism. 3. Amen! A Wall Street speculation tax to pay for public needs is far better for America than Republican welfare for billionaires. 4. Amen! Congress will pass progressive legislation, if we get off our asses, flush the Republican Reich, and replace DINOs in the primaries. 5. Amen! Bernie acts younger than Biden. 6. Amen! With criminal Fuhrer Trump* in power, the Democrats will unite behind any candidate, who wins the nomination, as long as they win it fairly! However, if DNC Superdelegates take the nomination from the voters’ choice and land it to another, they will destroy the party and the nation. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Monkees – Last Train To Clarksville 1966

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Resign Barrf!

Posted by TomCat at 8:46 am Politics

Feb 172020

Never in the history of the Unites States has there ever been a party so criminal as today’s Republican Reich, under mayhem’s mad maniac, Fuhrer Donald Trump. And never gas there been an Attorney General more corrupt than William Barr, aka Barrf! He truly deserves to be disbarred, or in his case, disBarrfed!

More than 1,100 former federal prosecutors and Justice Department officials called on Attorney General William P. Barr on Sunday to step down after he intervened last week to lower the Justice Department’s sentencing recommendation for President Trump’s longtime friend Roger J. Stone Jr.

They also urged current government employees to report any signs of unethical behavior at the Justice Department to the agency’s inspector general and to Congress.

“Each of us strongly condemns President Trump’s and Attorney General Barr’s interference in the fair administration of justice,” the former Justice Department lawyers, who came from across the political spectrum, wrote in an open letter on Sunday. Those actions, they said, “require Mr. Barr to resign.”… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

I recommend following the link to read the letter.

1,100+ former prosecutors and other DOJ officials call on Attorney General Barr to resign

I’ve never seen anything like this before. However, I think the best we can hope for is to indict, try, convict and jail this vile Republican criminal, after we defeat his Fuhrer and take the White House. Thanks in advance to those prosecutors who blow the whistle on Barrf and/or resign in the face of this Republican perversion of justice.

RESIST!!

Open Thread–2/16/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:52 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 162020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. WWWendy if coming to de-stink the rancid TomCat and help with chores, including the preparation of what I need for my day trip to the hospital on Tuesday. I hope your day is fully Republican-free. If not, flush!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:09 (average 5:05). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Moscow Mitch McConnell went on Fox News to chortle and gloat over the 395 bills the Democratic House has passed in the last year that he’s refusing to consider.

“It is true,” the Senate majority leader said. “They’ve been on full left-wing parade over there, trotting out all of their left-wing solutions that are going to be issues in the fall campaign. They’re right. We’re not going to pass those.” Like making sure state and local governments have enough funding to secure the 2020 election and legislation ensuring that people’s health care is protected. You know, crazy “full left-wing parade,” unlike his Senate that’s cranking out extremist, unqualified judges and voting on forced-birther bills that can’t even pass in the Senate.

At the same time Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch’s beloved criminal Fuhrer Trump* is whining about how the House of Representatives get nothing done, because they spend all their time persecuting him. The only solution is to dump every Republican dawg catcher, the Nazi Republican Fuhrer, and every Republican in between. Every Republican in office is one Republican too many! RESIST!!

From Raw Story: Appearing in MSNBC’s “AM Joy” former lead prosecutor Glenn Kirschner hammered Attorney General Bill Barr of a pattern of deceit and perjury that began with his Senate confirmation hearings and continues to this day.

Speaking with host Joy Reid about Barr’s ABC interview admission that he is unhappy with Donald Trump’s tweets and that he doesn’t let them influence him, the prosecutor called him out.

“Bill Barr is not to be believed,” Kirschner explained. “You know, from day one, Joy, at his confirmation hearing he lied — he committed perjury. [Sen.] Kamala Harris asked him, did anybody at the White House including the president ask you to open an investigation or suggest you should open an investigation? What did he say? ‘You know, I’m grappling with the word suggest.’”

First, Barrf should be impeached. Then, Barrf should be disbarrfed! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Marcels – Blue Moon

This was the first 45 RPM record I ever owned. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–2/12/2020

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

Feb 122020

It’s another sickly day, here in the CatBox. I could not keep breakfast down, but eventually the burn eased off enough for me to work. It’s a WWWendy day, and it’s been so muggy here, that I need de-stinking in the worst way. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:08 (average 7:14). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

I made this cartoon when Crawford Caligula was Resident. Republicans are even worse on jobs now.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Entire Roger Stone Prosecution Team Quits Case In Protest

Now that criminal Fuhrer Trump knows he can get away with abusing his power, he’s setting off on a new crime spree. And whenever the AG hears his master’s voice, Barrf Barrfs! Kudos to the prosecutor who quit DOJ! I hope the Democratic President rehires him in Jan. RESIST!!

From YouTube: Bloomberg’s ‘stop-and-frisk’ comments resurface

Even if Bloomberg were not a proven racist, as the tape demonstrates so clearly, he should not be allowed to buy a chance to win the Democratic Nomination. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl (Original Version)

Vote Blue!!

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Open Thread–1/27/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:54 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 272020

I’m not feeling too well this morning. I kept my breakfast and all yesterday’s meals down, but I’m suffering from a pretty severe case of Republicosis that has sent me to the throne nine times in the past twenty four hours, including twice in the middle of the night. My poor butt is so raw, it feels like Trump’s* must after a session with Putin [R-RU]. On the plus side, I put my foot down to Medical Mayhem this week. My next appointment is my cardiac stress test next Monday. Oh God! It’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:01 (average 7:00). To do it click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

SCROTUS = Republican anti-Constitutional VD

Short Takes:

From Nation of Change: Democracy 21, a non-profit organization that aims to
combat the influence of private money in politics, has filed a complaint against
Attorney General William Barr for failure to comply with the Department of
Justice norms, rules and standards of conduct…

…Democracy 21’s complaint gives a detailed list of actions Barr has
taken since last year:

Barr testified before Congress, without any
substantiation, that FBI and Justice Department officials engaged in
“spying” on the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential
election.

Barr sent a letter to Congress mischaracterizing the
Mueller report ahead of its release, leaving it as the only information
available to the public about the report for almost a month. Barr then
refused Special Counsel Mueller’s request to release the summaries included
in the report and held a press conference hours before the release of the
full report where he continued to mischaracterize it.

Barr failed to recuse himself from overseeing matters
being consideration by DOJ and related to the whistleblower complaint
about President Trump’s call with the Ukrainian President, in which Trump
mentioned Barr by name five times.

Kudos to Democracy 21. They picked a most worthy target in Barrf! I hope DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Departmental Ethics Office act on it. RESIST!!

From YouTube (538 Channel): ‘Sometimes going negative is a necessary evil’: Nate Silver

I tend to disagree. While it may be adventageous for a Democratic candidate to reveal facts about a Democratic rival, it must be done with dignity and respect, because we all need to unite behind our nominee. When attacking Republicans, no such restrictions apply, since for every decency and courtesy we have extended them in recent years, they have returned pure evil, and nothing but. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Stuck in the Middle with you – Stealers Wheel

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

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/10/2019

Posted by TomCat at 10:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 102019

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. I had to complete and send my week’s grocery order to Store to Door. I had to schedule my ride to the Hospital next Tuesday with TriMet Lift. I prepared the Fantasy Football Alert. I made a BIG pot of chili to use against that Sdang sasquatch as revenge. I’m kind of pooped!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:54 (average 5:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Fantasy Football Report:

Here’s the latest from our own fantasy football league.

Scores:

14Scores

Congrats to the Sasquatch, Patty Monster and WWWendy for winning their games. Kudos to Squatch for the week’s high score.

Standings:

14Standings

Kudos to WWWendy, our regular season Champion, to Vivian, our regular season scoring champion, and to Squatch for finishing two places ahead of me. Crying face

Playoffs Bracket:

14Playoffs

WWWendy and Vivian have a bye week this weekend. See the left column for the other pairings. Good luck to all!

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Trump Campaign Was Not Spied On: DOJ IG; Barr Reverts To Deceit

Barrf Bag Alert!!

Barrf has his head so far up his beloved Fuhrer’s ass that he can have meetings with Pence up there. RESIST!!

From Vox: The United Kingdom will vote on December 12, and the country’s unfinalized divorce with the European Union looms over it all.

These are the Brexit elections. Even if many wish they weren’t.

Whoever wins the election will ultimately determine whether the United Kingdom leaves the European Union early next year — and, if it does, they’ll likely be determining what that future relationship might look like.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party have vowed that if they reclaim their majority in Parliament, they will “get Brexit done” by quickly passing the prime minister’s Brexit deal and moving to negotiate a free-trade agreement with the EU by the end of 2020.

Labour, the opposition party led by Jeremy Corbyn, is instead proposing to renegotiate the Brexit deal, and then put it back to the British people for a final vote on whether they want to leave the EU on those terms — or just remain in the EU after all…

From what I understand Corbyn and Labour have almost as good a chance as there is for Trump to last a day without lying. Nevertheless, I hope they win, so the UK no longer challenges the US world record for electoral idiocy. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Thunderclap Newman – Something In The Air

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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