Open Thread–2/10/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:24 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 102020

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox. I woke up around midnight with an upset stomach, and could not get back to sleep. I held my breakfast down, but just barely. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:55 (average 5:43). To do it, click here. How did you do? I would have been faster, if I were a dawg, or if the hydrant were Trump*.

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Everyone loved Bill Murray reprising his role as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day.

Everyone hated Trump.

USA Today’s Ad Meter, which tabulates consumer ratings, has been running its Super Bowl ad rankings since 1989. This year, Trump’s campaign ad was ranked as the worst.

The second-least favorite? This commercial for pretzel Pop-Tarts. Yes, pretzel Pop-Tarts are more popular than the president of the United States. Not coincidentally, a pretzel Pop-Tart would also be a much better president, because it has more dignity and gravitas and doesn’t necessarily have to be thoroughly toasted before breakfast. (You know, because Trump sprinkles Adderall on his pancakes. Or so I’ve heard.)

I personally found this year’s Super Bowl commercials (something I usually enjoy) to be the worst in my memory. That criminal Fuhrer Trump’s* was the worst of the worst put a smile on my face. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Will New Hampshire Finish Joe Biden’s Political Career?

What really upset me is to see Liz tied with Biden at fourth. I think that ABC’s decision to give Pete and Amy more time than Bernie and Joe and way more time than Liz is at least partially to blame for that. As much as I’d love to see NH move Joe into well-earned retirement, I hesitate to count him out before SC, where Mayor Pete could be in big trouble.

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Harry Nilsson narrates “The Point”

I mentioned The Point yesterday. Here it is. If this clip does not auto-play the next six segments, click through for the playlist. Ah… the memories! Oblio is a Democrat! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–2/8/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:33 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 082020

I’m having a rough day. Although I haven’t barfed my breakfast, I have severe heartburn, and the Republicosis has returned. Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, so please expect no more than an Open Thread. I hope your weekend is better than mine.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:42 (average 4:31). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From ACLU: Voting should be as easy and convenient as possible, and in many cases it is. But across the U.S., too many politicians are passing measures making it harder to cast a ballot. The goal is to manipulate political outcomes, and the result is a severely compromised democracy that doesn’t reflect the will of the people. Our democracy works best when all eligible voters can participate and have their voices heard.

Suppression efforts range from the seemingly unobstructive, like voter ID laws and cuts to early voting, to mass purges of voter rolls and systemic disenfranchisement. And long before election cycles even begin, legislators can redraw district lines that determine the weight of your vote. Certain communities are particularly susceptible to suppression and in some cases, outright targeted — people of color, students, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Below, we’ve listed some of the most rampant methods of voter suppression across the country — and the advocacy and litigation efforts aimed at protecting our fundamental right to vote.

Click through for the best reference I’ve seen on voter suppression by the Republican Reich! RESIST!!

From YouTube (538 Channel): Who Won The New Hampshire Debate? Buttigieg? Klobuchar? Sanders?

Here’s my take on it. Buttigieg and Sanders ended in a virtual tie. Warren was third, in spite of being sabotaged by ABC news, who virtually ignored her all night. She got less time than Klobuchar, and WAY less time than Biden. Klobuchar was fourth. She seemed a bit desperate. Biden was fifth. He was more forceful, than before but was singularly unimpressive. Steyer is still trying to buy victory, and Yang is still a one trick pony. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Witnesses Left Scattered In Wake Of Trump Impeachment Scandal

Criminal Fuhrer Trump* always leaves chaos in his wake, as others bear the consequences of his never-ceasing crimes and incompetence. RESIST!!

Also from YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Secret Service Skipping Reports On Payment To Trump Resorts: WaPo

Meanwhile a Trump* appointed federal judge just ruled that Congress lacks standing to sue Trump* for emoluments violations. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Doors – Hello, I Love You

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Trump* at the National Prayer Breakfast

Posted by TomCat at 10:44 am Politics, Religion

Feb 072020

A Dominionist cult, commonly known as ‘the family’ holds a supposedly non-partisan annual religious event called the National Prayer Breakfast. Presidents (and Residents) of the United States routinely attend. It’s normally pretty low key, as the family uses it to present themselves as mainstream and cover up who they really are and what they really do. But someone forgot to tell that to the criminal Fuhrer Trump*.

At the 68th, and perhaps last, National Prayer Breakfast, the main remarks were made by the former president of the American Enterprise Institute (and Post columnist) Arthur C. Brooks, who spoke on the themes of his wonderful 2019 book “Love Your Enemies.” President Trump then prefaced his speech by saying: “Arthur, I don’t know if I agree with you. But I don’t know if Arthur’s going to like what I’m going to say.”

It was a strange moment in U.S. religious history. The command to love your enemies, of course, came from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. “Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” It might be expected for a president to express how difficult obeying such a mandate can be. Trump decided to dispute the command itself. And some in the crowd laughed.

The purpose of Trump’s sermon at the Hilton was, in fact, to put his enemies on notice. Those who pursued impeachment were “very dishonest and corrupt people.” “They know what they are doing is wrong,” he continued, “but they put themselves far ahead of our great country.” Congressional Republicans, in contrast, had the wisdom and strength “to do what everyone knows was right.”

Trump proceeded to make a thinly veiled attack against Mitt Romney of Utah, the only Republican senator to vote for the president’s removal: “I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong.” And then a shot at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.): “Nor do I like people who say, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ when I know that is not so.”… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Washington Post>

Of course, every insult Trump* hurled at Democrats was a projection of what he and his Republicans Reich routinely do.

Trump waves ‘acquitted’ headline, takes shot at Mitt Romney in speech

Portman has his head up Trump’s* ass. The only message that Senate Republicans delivered is that there is nothing too evil for Senate Republicans to help Trump evade the consequences for doing it.

Joe Reads Bible To Critique Trump’s Prayer Breakfast Speech

Joe should not be surprised that the so-called believers there sided with Trump instead of Jesus. The NPV is sponsored by the Fellowship Foundation, aka ‘the family’. A Dominionist cult, they believe that they need to take over government to make the earth fit to receive Republican Supply-side Jesus on his return. Their vehicle they use to achieve this end is the Republican Reich. They are NOT Christians. Not all Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians are Dominionists, but all Dominionists are Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians.

Lawrence: Prayer Breakfast Rant Shows Trump Doesn’t Understand What Love Is

Very astute, Lawrence. The inability to experience love in relationships is a common symptom of Narcisistic Personality Disorder.

I’ve heard it said that Trump* has no soul. But he has what he is… an ass-soul!

RESIST!!

The State of the Republican Reich

Posted by TomCat at 9:20 am Politics

Feb 052020

Last night, Nancy Pelosi told a lie. She said, “the President of the United States”. I looked at the screen, but there was no President there, just the criminal Resident Donald Trump”* Then his lies began, as soon as he began to speak, and I knew this would be no SOTU. It was the State of the Republican Reich.

Nancy Pelosi’s hands told the story of a nauseating night in Washington.

As Donald Trump took his place at the front of the House chamber for his third and possibly final State of the Union address, the House speaker and most senior Democrat in Congress reached out for a handshake, only to be rebuffed.

Seventy-eight minutes later, Pelosi, as she often tends to, got her revenge by ripping up her copy of the president’s speech while still in her position on the dais.

You could cut the atmosphere with a knife. Pelosi was the mastermind of Trump’s impeachment in this very chamber just weeks ago, staining his record in future school textbooks for all time.

But somehow, with seven of the Democrats who had pressed the impeachment case against him as impeachment managers glaring up at him from a prominent position, the president, like Bill Clinton before him, managed to resist using the “i” word throughout his speech. That, at least, was a departure from his gloves-off campaign rallies.

Yet Trump being forced to suppress his id was somehow even worse. The tension, grievance and resentment seething below the surface was almost palpable. The president’s tissue of lies and partisan swipes left Democrats heckling, throwing up their hands or walking out of the chamber in despair… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <The Guardian>

Fuhrer Trump’s* speech was wall-to-wall lies!

Here are seven notable lies that Trump told during the speech:

1. “We will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions.”

This one was flagged by CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale before Trump began speaking. Republicans, despite claiming credit for President Barack Obama’s achievement at passing into law protections for people with pre-existing health conditions, are in fact backing a lawsuit that seeks to dismantle those protections.

2. “Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the #1 producer of oil and natural gas in the world, by far.”

Dale flagged this one as false too, explaining: “The US became #1 in 2012, under Obama, though its advantage has grown under Trump.”

Inserted from <Raw Story>

I shared two. Click through for the other five.

Joe Scarborough covered Trump’s* lies and more.

Joe: How Do You Call It A Good Speech If It’s Fed By Lies?

Spot-on! As for Flush Limbarf, soon he’ll get to show his medal to Injustice Antonin Scalia!

CNN had a good panel, with one thoroughly vile exception!

Acosta: A state of the base speech, not a State of the Union speech

They had Frothy, aka “Man on Dog” on the panel?!!? Santorum is “the frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex”. Otherwise it was a good panel! And it was the State of the Republican Reich!

Finally, not everyone there was evil.

Here’s why Democrats chanted ‘H.R.3’ in the middle of Trump’s State of the Union speech

The women in white, including Nancy Pelosi, were the heroes of the event. Trump* and his Republican Reich were the villains.

RESIST!!

Open Thread–2/4/2019

Posted by TomCat at 10:20 am Open Thread, Plus, Politics

Feb 042020

Yesterday’s trip to the hospital was gruesome. TriMet Lift got me there an hour early, so I had to wait there for an hour. The tests, as I had told the doctors all along, was fine. Unlike my fart, my heart is completely healthy. They got done with me two hours early, so I called TriMet to see if I could get an earlier ride. No. In fact, they screwed up and did not pick me up for my 3:34 – 4:04 PM window until 6:10. That Lift Bus was crowded, so I did not get home until 7:25 PM, 25 minutes after my winter bedtime. Needless to say, I’m so pooped, I’m bleary eyed.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:49 (average 5:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

I’m on O₂ too. I’m not a Republican, so I’m not a moron.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): In What Amounts To GOP ‘Bluff-Calling,’ Joe Manchin Proposes Senate Censure Trump

I must be hallucinating from being over tired. I actually agree with DINO Joe! After the conviction vote fails, a foregone conclusion, I would support a censure vote, as a way to further embarrass Republicans, most of whom would goose-step with criminal Fuhrer Trump*. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Late Show Channel): GOP Senators Give Lame Excuses For Voting Against Witnesses In Trump Impeachment Trial

Lame excuses? Since when has the Fascist Republican Reich given any other kind? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Mamas & The Papas – Monday Monday

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Get Out a Black Armband

Posted by TomCat at 8:46 am Politics

Jan 312020

I hate to say it, but it’s time to get out a black armband, because a national day of shame is upon us. Since Senator Lamar Alexander [R-TN] decided to goose-step with his criminal Fuhrer, Donald Trump*, instead of representing his constituents, it appears that Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch is about to successfully hide his Fuhrer’s crimes by blocking documents and witnesses by blocking documents and witnesses at the impeachment trial.

0131AlexanderBitch

The questioning phase is over. On Friday, the trial will resume at 1 p.m. Eastern, when senators will begin a debate over including additional witnesses and documents in the trial.
Republicans have felt increasingly confident that they will have the support to block a vote to subpoena new witnesses, like the former national security adviser John R. Bolton, who Democrats argue could provide crucial new information. This was made more likely Thursday night when Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, who was seen as a swing vote, announced that he would not support calling additional witnesses…

Inserted from <NY Times>

Sen. Lamar Alexander Makes ‘Preposterous’ Statement About Impeachment

If that isn’t impeachable conduct, then what the hell is?

Sen. Jeff Merkley: This is a tragedy in every possible way

Jeff is my Senator. I worked on his campaign to help him oust Gordon “Goosestep” Smith [R-OR]. I could not agree with him more than this!

Finally, this is what Republicans are doing!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–1/30/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:38 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 302020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. First, I awakened just after midnight, itchy and sticky. I finally fell asleep again after 3:30 AM and overslept by a full two hours. Then, I overloaded my computer doing research this morning, crashed it. I had several web pages and several applications open at once, and had not rebooted in a couple days. I lost forty five minutes work. Finally, it’s a grocery delivery day, and I do not know when Store to Door is coming. Some days… You have a good one!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:32 (average 8:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoons:

Short Takes:

From Willamette Week: Portland-area voters could open their ballots in three months to find a surprise: a request for $250 million to $300 million a year in taxpayer funding for services to get homeless people off the streets.

WW reported Jan. 27 that the regional government Metro may place such a measure on the May 19 ballot. That marks a stark change since last month, when the Metro Council insisted to advocates it would take as long as two years to grind a measure through the bureaucracy.

Instead, local officials now want to construct a measure and present it to voters in 13 weeks.

This is still overdue, even though Oregon leads the way! RESIST!!

From USA Today: Attorney Alan Dershowitz, a member of President Donald Trump’s defense team, alarmed Democrats and many legal scholars with his argument in the first day of questions and answers in the Senate impeachment trial that presidents cannot be removed from office for an action they believe could help get them re-elected.

In response to a question from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, about whether it mattered if Trump engaged in a “quid pro quo,” Dershowitz said that motive was what mattered and that if an act was in the public interest it was not impeachable. And he said it was reasonable for a public official to equate what is in their own political interest with the public good.

“Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest,” he said. “And if a president does something, which he believes will help him get elected in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.”

Dershowitz said a quid pro quo that involved an illegal act, or was done for personal financial gain, would be impeachable, however. [emphasis added]

Dershowitz is so full of shit his eyes are brown. Hitler honestly believed that murdering six million Jews was in the national interest. According to the Republican Reich, that’s fine. Who would Fuhrer Trump want to murder…Jews? …Blacks? …Latinos? …Muslims? …Gays? …Seniors? …Poor People? …Libruls? In any case, Dershowitz missed a key point. Since the re-theft (Trump* was NEVER elected) of the White House would result in more personal profit for Trump* from having his entourage stay at Trump* resorts at considerable taxpayer expense, his campaign is for personal gain, so his campaign related acts are impeachable, even by the twisted, devious standards of the Republican Reich! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from Lona’s past): Shocking Blue – Venus

Ah… Lona’s memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Don’t Get Your Hopes Too High

Posted by TomCat at 9:45 am Politics

Jan 292020

I remember that Democrats were about to add a public option to the ACA, commonly known as ObamaCare. Sen. Chuck “Snake in the” Grassley [R-IA], told Majority Leader Harry Reid [D-NV] that Republicans needed just a little more time to agree on their ideas to make the ACA a truly bipartisan bill. Reid agreed to hold up until after spring break. During spring break Republicans used Koch Brothers’ money to specially train, pay and send busloads od Tea Party extremists from community to community to attend Democratic town halls nationwide. These Tea Baggers, aka Koch Suckers, lectured on non-existent Democratic death panels, disrupted meetings with threats of violence and blindsided the Democratic attempt to educate the public about the ACA. They combined this with a national saturation ad campaign to spread lies about the ACA. In the end, we got the ACA, but just barely. And we did not get the public option, because we responded kindly to Republican calls for bipartisanship. Now Republicans want to talk about a “bipartisan” deal on witnesses, because Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch says he doesn’t have the votes to stop witnesses. Instead of “Snake in the” Grassley, Leningrad Lindsey Poo is his new side-kick.

President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is shifting to questions from senators, a pivotal juncture as Republicans lack the votes to block witnesses and face a potential setback in their hope of ending the trial with a quick acquittal.

After Trump’s defense team rested Tuesday with a plea to “end now,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell privately told senators he doesn’t yet have the votes to brush back Democratic demands for witnesses now that revelations from John Bolton, the former national security adviser, have roiled the trial.

Bolton writes in a forthcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it helped with investigations into Democratic rival Joe Biden. That assertion, if true, would undercut a key defense argument and go to the heart of one of the two articles of impeachment against the president.

“I think Bolton probably has something to offer us,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska…

Inserted from <Washington Post>

Here are a pair of video clips for you.

McConnell says votes to block witnesses aren’t there

Has there ever been a time that Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch could not rule his caucus with an iron jack boot? I can’t remember one. This smells like a lie.

Lawrence: Why Mitch McConnell Revealed He Doesn’t Have The Votes

I’m sure Lawrence is right about the motives of Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch. I also think Republicans are playing possum and planning a sneak-attack.

Republicans see that 75% of Americans and even half of Republicans want witnesses and documents. So they’re pretending to be ‘oh so very fair’ in considering that question. But they also know that virtually all their rabid base, the ones that vote in primaries, oppose witnesses and documents. So, when the time to vote on witnesses and documents comes, they will vote against and move quickly to acquit, before we realize what happened.

Remember, when Republicans say bipartisan, they mean this:

RESIST!!

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