Open Thread May 12, 2022

 Posted by at 6:38 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 122022
 

Yesterday, I woke up from a nightmare.I was talking with Mitch McConnell and he said something which almost made sense. It was horrible. I never used to dream about public figures Sigh.
Today is May 12. I’m using a cartoon made by TC, but every year on May 12 I remember that when I was a freshman in college and still visiting my high school bridge club because I didn’t feel ready for tournament bridge (this would have been 1963), every time there was a trick with four face cards, it was obligatory for someone to say, “Summit Conference.” And on a trick with three face cards it was obligatory for someone to sat, “May 12th.” (because on May 12, 1960, Khrushchev walked out on the summit conference.) Just one of those trivial to the point of being idiotic things that one can’t seem to forget. (And it really wouldn’t make a good cartoon, anyway. Too much explanation needed.)

Cartoon – 12 0512Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes –

The Daily Beast- A Second MAGA Clerk in Colorado Also Breached Voting Machines
Quote – Schroeder, who did not return a request for comment, is the second Colorado clerk accused of breaching voting machines under his supervision. The other clerk, Tina Peters of Mesa County, is currently facing a barrage of criminal charges for allegedly stealing a local tech worker’s identity, illegally copying her county’s election data, and leaking it to election fraud conspiracy theorists last spring. She later appeared at Lindell’s “cyber symposium” on supposed voter fraud where she implied, incorrectly, that the stolen data suggested election malfeasance against Donald Trump.
Click through for details. Colorado is a blue state if Democrats vote. But ever since Focus on the Family decided to settle in Colorado Springs, RWNJs all over the state have become more amd more loud and obnoxious. And lawless. Here’s a related article.

Crooks and Liars – ‘Songbird Of Mariupol’ Wants The World To Know That She’s Still Alive
Quote – For she is singing in a bomb shelter amid the shattered hell of Mariupol, accompanied by a low murmur from a chorus line of men sitting beside her. Her name is Kateryna. She joined the army last year after completing her music studies and, at the age of 21, she finds herself fighting for her life as a member of the heroic band of Ukrainian fighters making a desperate last stand in a besieged factory.
Click through for story and video. The video has CC (I don’t speak Ukrainan, but it looks good), and you can just tell she has a lovely voice, maybe perfect pitch, but the “accompaniment” doesn’t help.

AP News – Ambassador nominee for Ukraine seeks quick embassy reopening
Quote – Bridget Brink, who has spent the majority of her 25-year diplomatic career in former Soviet republics, spoke to members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ahead of what’s expected to be her easy Senate confirmation…. Committee Republicans and Democrats alike Tuesday emphasized getting Brink confirmed and in place in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as soon as possible, as Ukraine’s forces are in their fourth month of battling invading Russian troops, with the help of an extraordinary campaign of military and financial support by the United States and European allies.
Click through (it’s short). Let’s not forget the last Ambassador, Marie (Masha) Yovanovitch. Like (and along with) LtCol Vindman, she demonsrated truth and honor in the face of a world-class bully. Big shoes to fill. I wish Bridget Brink all the best.

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Open Thread May 11, 2022

 Posted by at 6:42 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 112022
 

Yesterday, I had a rather klutzy computer day. For instance, I sent an email attachment but forgot to attach it, and in my pictorial program accidentally hid all the toolbars and it took m a half hour or more to figure out what I had done so I could get them back. Everything is resolved now but I’m running late as a result.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The Washington Post – GOP donor described botched vote fraud probe in recording, prosecutors say
Quote – The filing Friday illuminates one of the most extreme tactics that far-right groups have employed in an effort to substantiate former president Donald Trump’s unproven allegations of widespread voting fraud in the election he lost. Groups have tried to gain access to sensitive election equipment, pushed for audits of the 2020 election by handpicked outside groups and recruited volunteers to scrutinize local election officials, sometimes leading to threats of violence.
Click through for the news, which is not new, but just coming out, plua I had to wait a couple of days to get a gift link so we can all get past the paywall. Fortunately, it is NOt being ignored.

Democratic Underground – 45 Convicted Republican Pedophiles:
Quote – 42. Republican benefactor of conservative Christian groups, Richard A. Dasen Sr., was charged with rape for allegedly paying a 15-year old girl for sex. Dasen, 62, who is married with grown children and several grandchildren, has allegedly told police that over the past decade he paid more than $1 million to have sex with a large number of young.
Click through for complete list. Be aware these are not just people who happen to be registered Republican. They are elected or appointed officials and/or vocal activists. (I’m sure one could easily find 45 convicted pedophiles who are just registered Democrats but in no way involved in politics/activism – because we won’t stand for it.)

Amazon Watch – Peruvian Government Commits to Expel Narcotrafficking Settlers and Return Lands to Indigenous Communities
Quote – While Peru is in an ongoing political crisis, the Indigenous movement clamors for justice. The demands are clear: prevent the killings of threatened Earth defenders, pursue legal actions against the murderers, and guarantee Indigenous territorial integrity. According to the latest Global Witness report, Peru is among the ten most dangerous countries for Earth defenders. Since 2011, more than 45 environmental rights defenders have been killed there. Most recently, Indigenous leader Ulises Rumiche, was shot dead on April 20, 2022.
Click through for details. It’s not as if we don’t know that indegenous peoles everywhere on earth are having their very survival (not to mention their customs, thir quality of life, even their basic dignity) threatened on a 24/7 basis. But it isn’t often we are given a window into those conditions that shows as much as this one does.

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Video Thread 5/9/22

 Posted by at 11:35 am  Open Thread, Politics
May 092022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Giuliani now in contempt of Congress, literally & figuratively. Will Congress use inherent contempt?

Meidas Touch on Twitter – Someone you love

MSNBC – Rep. Raskin: Esper Revelations Show Trump’s ‘Fascination With Violence’

RepresentUs – Why this church-going grandma is getting death threats

Robert Reich channel – Why Child Poverty is a Policy Choice feat. (Solana Rice)

VOA News – Russian-Born Composer Gives Concerts to Raise Money for Ukraine’s Children

Beau – Let’s talk about voting harder….

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Video Thread 4/22/22

 Posted by at 12:29 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Apr 222022
 

Glenn Kirschner – As Georgia Grand Jury Investigation into Trump Proceeds, Trump Co-conspirator Eastman Keeps Criming

Meidas Touch – Texan who went viral exposing Abbott’s border scam SLAMS Republicans for trying to raise his taxes

The Lincoln Project – It’s in the Plan

American Bridge Ad Launch featured on MSNBC

Really American – ‘Dark MAGA’ Trump Supporters Plot Revenge On Political Opponents (So nice to see Chip back – a little slower and a little softer language, but still Chip)

Golden Retriever Preps Little Boy For His New Role As Big Brother

Beau – Let’s talk about the US already learning from Ukraine and what we should…

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Video Thread 4/21/22

 Posted by at 12:01 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Apr 212022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Reporting Asks: “Why Hasn’t Trump Been Indicted Yet? We Have Five Theories.”

The Lincoln Project – Skin in the Game

Robert Reich – How Trump could actually steal the 2024 Election

MSNBC – Eliminationist Rhetoric,’ A Fascist Tool, Gains Alarming Foothold In Trump-Era Politics

Twitter – A strong speech. Mallory McMorrow is a Michigan State Senator for Dostrict 13 (roughly Oakland County.) Elected in 2019, she is in her first term.

Brent Terhune – A Madison Caethorne Party

Beau – Let’s talk about Texas, Abbott, and produce….

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Open Thread April 10, 2022

 Posted by at 7:23 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 102022
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “La Nozze de Figaro,” which is usually translated “The Marriage of Figaro,” but I prefer “Figaro’s Wedding.” Like a wedding, it takes place in one day, wheras marriage (hopefully) lasts a lot longer (in fact, from the third play, we know they were still married 20 years later, and still happy and healthy and looking forward to more.) Of course, as wedding days go, it may not have been the worst wedding day ever (the ending is happy), but it qualifies, I think, as the most frantic. I think my favorite part of it is the section which starts with Marzellina’s lawsuit and ends with plans for a double wedding – because the misunderstanding is totally unforced. The other misunderstandings (and there are several) are set up deliberately, by different people, for one reason or another. But the opera is full of great music and amusiong (and emotional) moments. Afterwards, my day was a scramble to get ready for today.

Cartoon

Short Takes –

NBC News – Two D.C. men charged with impersonating feds, several Secret Service agents placed on leave
Quote – The Secret Service is conducting an internal review of the interactions between four Secret Service agents and the two men accused of posing as federal agents, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. “We are looking into our people in terms of how their social circles collided,” one of the sources said. “We are only 72 hours into this review,” the source said, adding that “right now there’s no sign of nefarious activity.”
Click through for story. Shades of “The Great Pretender.” They are lucky that this is found out suring a scary war and some criminal investigations of real government officials. In a less hyper time, no one wuld be talking about anything else.  In a
related story …

Biden at war: Inside a deliberate yet impulsive Ukraine strategy
Quote – The Biden administration has stood up a second “Tiger Team” to internally game out different attacks and responses, but has been especially cautious about sharing any possible repercussions publicly. “We’ve had the opportunity to coordinate with our allies. We’ve had the opportunity to get organized internally. We’ve been clear publicly that Russia would pay a severe price,” Sullivan told reporters, flying from Brussels to Poland on Air Force One. “And beyond that, I’m not going to speak further to the issue.”
Click through for full analysis. As a Vatican II Catholic, and also a person who is 100% anti-war right up until the moment it becones necessary to save the world, I think I can identify with where Joe is comeing from. Certainly, like him, I’m emotionally invested. That’s not to say that anything about it is easy.

The 19th – Older women voters may play a big role in the 2022 midterms, and they are not happy
Quote – “One thing that’s so remarkable about this current moment is the way that cost of living is just cutting across every demographic line,” Anderson said. “Cost of living is a challenge whether you are 19 years old, just starting off in the workforce, and are trying to figure out how to pay your rent, or if you are retired, on a fixed income and you’re trying to pay your rent.” Matthews emphasized that older women are tired of out-of-touch politicians, abstract campaign promises and hostility permeating the political climate.
Click through for details. I find this terribly depressing. Ar e that many American women over 50 really so ignorant as to constantly blame the wrong people for what government does? If so, we are doomed.

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Video Thread 4/9/22

 Posted by at 12:11 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Apr 092022
 

Glenn Kirschner – Is DOJ Investigating Boxes of Classified Documents Trump Unlawfully Took to Mar-a-Lago? Glenn is wrong – the 1/6 committee is not accusing the Justice Department of anything. It is the House Oversight committee which is complaining about the Justice Department. It is not Bennie Thomas but Carolyn Maloney who is demanding these documents at this moment. Clearly he is frustrated – likely more so than he says directly. I barely looked at the comments, so I don’t know whether anyone else caught that.

Meidas Touch – Psaki HUMILIATES Republican with perfect response to classless stunt during confirmation vote

Thom Hartmann – Will the Billionaires Be Able to Quell the Growing Union Movement?

RepresentUs – The Problem With Wisconsin’s Election Investigation

MSNBC – Trump Criminal Case ‘Ongoing’: NY Prosecutor Makes Unusual Statement (Ve-ry In-ter=est-ing.0

Guy Offers Hand to a Giant Octopus — You Won’t Believe How He Reacts

Beau – Let’s talk about Russian state media telling us what’s coming….

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Open Thread March 27, 2022

 Posted by at 7:25 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Mar 272022
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was Don Carlos (which is how it’s spelled when it’s done in French. The Italian is Don Carlo.) There are more differences in the two versions than just the;anguage, however. The French version (which was the original) can be more than an hour longer – it includes scenes deleyed from the Italian version, and, os course, a ballet. The Paris Opera House would not stage any opera which didn’t have a ballet. In both cases, the enotions of the principals are depicted against the background of 16th century Spain. including the Spanish Inquisition which is seen) and the war in what is now Belgium to keep Spain (and therefore the Inquisition) in power over all French speaking people, including the Huguenots (French Protestants. Most of the principals actually lived, but they were not (especially Carlos) much like the way they are portrayed. Carlos and the one character who did not actually exist, Rodrigue, talk a lot about freeing the Huguenots from Spanish rule, but it doesn’t happen, as the Inquisition disposes of both to prevent it (Rodrigue is shot dead by an Inquisition hack, and Carlos is whisked away to – somewhere – by the ghost of his dead grandfather.) Those parts seem very timely to me. Verdi was always deeply interested in political freedom (he even served in the first Parliament of united Italy freed from Austrian rule.)

Cartoon

Short Takes –

PolitiZoom – White House Assembles Tiger Team To Plan Contingency If Putin Uses Chemical Warfare, Or Worse Nukes, On Ukraine
Quote – Joe Biden has arrived in Europe for an emergency NATO summit, the G7 summit and a meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday. It’s safe to say that with things the way they are in Europe at this moment that these are all groups that are thrilled to see the return of sane US leadership and engagement in Europe after the train wreck and colossal embarrassment that was the former administration.
Click through for more, including a lot of speculation. It’s good that the West is being pro-active, not reactive. I don’t say we won’t make any mistakes, but I’m fairly confident we will not make stupid ones.

Bill strengthening election security policies advances in Colorado legislature
Quote – The measure was crafted in response to Mesa County’s Republican Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters, who is under indictment for allegedly compromising her county’s voting machines while searching for proof of fraud in the 2020 election. Critics had focused on a provision in the original bill that tried to prevent misinformation and disinformation. A prominent First Amendment attorney warned it could be problematic to try to regulate speech in that way, a concern also raised by the Colorado GOP, who said it was unconstitutional. The main sponsor of SB22-153, Democratic Senate President Steve Fenberg, said he doesn’t believe banning officials from spreading misinformation about elections violates free speech, but acknowledged the provision would likely be unenforceable in practice. He also didn’t want controversy over the idea to detract from the overall measure.
Click through for story. Republicans will be Republicans, but Tina Peters was a bridge too far even for them.

Women’s History – Wikipedia – Ana de Mendoza y de Silva, Princess of Éboli
Quote – Ana de Mendoza de la Cerda y de Silva Cifuentes, Princess of Eboli, Duchess of Pastrana (in full, Spanish: Doña Ana de Mendoza y de la Cerda), (29 June 1540 – 2 February 1592) was a Spanish aristocrat,[1] suo jure 2nd Princess of Mélito, 2nd Duchess of Francavilla and 3rd Countess of Aliano…. It is possible that Ana was the mistress of Philip II, King of Spain…. [She] form[ed] an alliance at Court with the King’s undersecretary of state… [and T]were accused of betraying state secrets which led to her arrest in 1579. Ana died 13 years later in prison on 2 February 1592.
Click throuch for bio. Many considered her the most beautiful woman in Europe, eyepatch and all (most little girls then didn’t play with swords, to that is also a revealing detail.) “A character mased on her” appears in the opers Don Carlos (and often steals the show). A spicier biography is here. I realize this makes her sound larger than life, but she is still a legend in Spanish-speaking areas.

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