Open Thread September 12 2024

 Posted by at 5:59 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Sep 122024
 

Yesterday, I received a recommendation to see the movie Sugarcane from Tokata Iron Eyes (Chase’s daughter). She writes so passionately ans convincingly that I wish I could share the full letter. Instead, I can provide a link to the National Geographic site (it is a documentary) which is essentially its home page. It will not be shown everywhere in the US – nor everywhere in Canada (though about half – I didn’t count – of the locations it will appear are in Canada, as they should be). The closest to me is Denver; but there is a complete list at the link. And a lot more information of various kinds. And anyone can watch the trailer there. Besides the on-site appearances, it’s planned for Disney and Hulu to stream it (no word on when that will be available yet.) When I was in the hospital last fall, PBS showed a fact-based drama on this subject set in Canada. But it all happened everywhere, at least in North America, and i would not bet against the proposition that it also happened in Central and South America. I also received a surprise. It did not surprise me when Liz Cheney (and even her father endorsed Kamala Harris. But when Liz Cheney also indorsed Colin Allred against Ted Cruz, my jaw dropped. As grateful as I am to all the Republicans who are endorsing Harris, I did not expect any of them to endorse any down-ballot Democrats. I hope this becomes a trend, but am not holding my breath.

Also yesterday, I came to the conclusion that I am not the best person to evaluate debates. In reading around afterwards, I noticed that figures like Robert Reich, Robert Hubbell, and Steve Schmidt were so pleased by Harris’s performance they were almost giddy. Heather Cox Richardson was more restrained, but also felt that Harris had goaded Trump** to fall apart. Joyce Vance had not weighed in yet – but she was hosting an on-line watch party and may simply have been exhausted. My own reaction was most like that of DC Report (written by Terry Schwadron, a name which is new to me.) It’s just not possible for any Democrat (or anyone) to “destroy” Trump** with facts and reason, because his base evaluates him by a different standard.

I got this too late to use yesterday, but I still think it’s worth reading, even if only to evaluate how accurate his predictions were. Did you know the League of Women Voters published a Bingo card for it?

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/september-9-2024
Yes, this is from Monday, but there is still a lot to consider in it, as for example her remarks on the continuing resolution to fund the government, including details in which the devil exists.

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Open Thread June 21 2024

 Posted by at 6:02 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jun 212024
 

Yesterday, SCOTUS issued verdicts and opinions in 4 cases (none involving TFG) – Moore, Chaverini, Diaz and Gonzales. I, on the other hand, took in a grocery order and baked cookies. (Given this Court, my accomplishments were orobablly better for the country.) Today, we can expect more verdicts and opinions. My reference for these decisions and more is here.  P.Ss – Tonight is a full moon. And a “strawberry moon” is expected – low in the sky and so bright it is its own light pollution.

The latest Biden-Harris ad, on YouTube. I’m not as convinced as many seem to be of its effectiveness against brainwashed MAGAts. But then, it’s probably not aimed at them, but at independents and undecideds. With them, it should help.

The Daily Beast’s “Obsessed” section is all about entertainment. But this cought my eye as a piece of fiction I would love to be a part of in real life. The protagonist is known as “The girl with the Dragon Tattoo of journalism,” and she takes on evil corporations. I remember when the first Girl with the Dragon Tattoo novel came out – at least one reviewer compared her to “Pippi Longstocking” grown up.” I’m sure part of that was because both were Swedish – but there were other traits they had in common as well.

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Open Thread January 25, 2024

 Posted by at 6:38 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 252024
 

Yesterday, sadly, so much of the news was about the New Hampshire primary – which means it mostly wasn’t news at all but opinions. I was going to say “uninformed opinions,” but all these people have plenty of information and apparently no idea what to do with it. So I’ll pass.

Ordinarily I don’t write about entertainment (except for opera, and that’s purely personal) but I think it’s good news for the nation that Jon Stewart is returning the The Daily Show – only on Mondays as a host, but full time as an executive producer.

 

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Open Thread November 25, 2022

 Posted by at 7:10 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Nov 252022
 

Yesterday was of course Thanksgiving Day. I hope everyone had a day that was truly filled with gratitude and comfort. I certainly did.

Robert Reich put out a newsletter which made me truly thankful for the liberties I have as a retired person who may be on a fixed income, but that income is enough for my needs and some of my wants. I am linking to it, but I will warn you i also grieved me  for those who do not have what I have (having been there made it feel personal.) It did strengthen my resolve to protect Social Security and Medicare, not just because I survive because of them, but because so many people would be trapped in bleak lives without them.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

HuffPost [via MSN] – Democrats Give Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts An Ultimatum
Quote – Top Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees demanded on Sunday that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts comply with their investigation into the court’s refusal to abide by ethics laws. And if the court continues to suggest it’s not serious about policing itself, Congress will step in, warned the joint letter from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), chairs of the subcommittees overseeing the federal judiciary in their respective chambers.
Click through for background and details. Senator Whitehouse is one of the best we have. You do not want him pissed off at you even if you are the Chief Justice.

The Daily Beast – Does Santa Claus Have to Be White? A Jolly New Doc[umentaty] Says No
Quote – Santa is not a person, he’s a symbol. He arrives every year to remind kids that being a good person is the most rewarding thing one can do in life. Hell, if you boil it down, Santa Claus is really just a child-rearing tactic. But like everything tangentially related to the holiday season—from red coffee cups to wars on religion—Santa has become a hot-button issue. For a certain sect of Americans, it’s their mission to rally against an ever-changing world pushing for progression. That deafening objection and the people who dare to defy it are the subjects of Santa Camp, a new documentary streaming Friday [Nov. 18] on HBO Max.
Click through for story. The Daily Beast does a lot of stories on entertainment and its industry, which I don’t often cite – but I’m glad they do, because entertainment is so inflential to peoples’ attitudes – much more so than most of us realize. So I’m glad someone with skills and smarts is following it.

Crooks & Liars – LeVar Burton Shares His Hopes For America After Midterm Results
Quote – This morning, I feel like I am taking the first step toward recovering from the impact these past six years have had on me…. I’m not going to lie, the part of me that has faith in America’s seriousness about the precepts upon which it was founded has been significantly damaged. Irreparably…? We’ll see…. Here’s the thing, I am just the most recent generation in my family to have my American dream threatened by white supremacist terrorism.
Click through for full meditation. There’s a video which is kinds sorts related but not really, and a meme at the bottom which you have probably seen. But the important part is the message in the text.

Food For Thought

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Open Thread April 2, 2022

 Posted by at 6:53 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 022022
 

Yesterday I got my trash and recycling carts movedaway from the curb back to where they “live.”And that was plenty. It’s been a busy week for me, so I was glad to have some respite.  I did a little knitting and a ittle gaming, and tried to get to bed earlier than I had been most of the week. I’ll try not to get spoiled.

Cartoon

Short Takes –

Report: DOJ Grand Jury Has Been Secretly Targeting Trump World For Months
Quote – The Department of Justice, as some of us said all along, is doing their job. They have been doing their job. This didn’t just happen in the past week because Congress members publicly complained. Even the reporters who wrote this piece get it wrong by saying the probe has “expanded.” These grand jury subpoenas didn’t just fall out of the sky, and it’s not in response to public pressure. Leaking the news? Yeah, that’s for the benefit of the public. But this is a hugely complex investigation, and they’re being careful not to screw it up.
Click through for details and some interesting reactions.

Navy ship to be named for late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Quote – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced on Thursday, the final day of Women’s History Month, that the Navy would name a replenishment oiler ship after Ginsburg. The ship is part of the John Lewis-class of replenishment oilers which are named in honor of individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of civil rights. Other ships in the class are named after John Lewis, Robert F. Kennedy, and Sojourner Truth.
Click through for background. The entire class appears to be relatively new.

“CODA” Actor Troy Kotsur Becomes First Deaf Man to Win an Oscar: “This Is Our Moment”
Quote – “CODA” star Troy Kotsur just made history at the 2022 Oscars. The 53-year-old actor is the first deaf man to be nominated and win an award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Kotsur took home the award for best actor in a supporting role on Sunday for “CODA,” beating out Ciarán Hinds, Jesse Plemons, J.K. Simmons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
Click through for story. Yeah, know, I don’t follow the Oscars either – the last time I watched was when Halle Berry won in 2001. But any diversity milestone in films is worth celebrating.

Food For Thought:

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