Glenn Kirschner – Republican controlled House can NOT stop DOJ criminal investigations of Trump & his co-conspirators
The Lincoln Project – Who We Are
Ojeda LIVE – The MAGA-ploy in Wisconsin
MSNBC – Symone Sanders: People Need To Give Stacey Abrams Her Flowers
John Fugelsang – Jimmy Carter can Stop Trump!
Beau – Let’s talk about a future message from your daughter…. (Not what you’re probably thinkng, not aimed at us, but… hanky alert.)
Yesterday, the weather report said (my paraphrase of a graph) “There might be snow tomorrow [today now], but don’t hold us to that; it might just be a little rain.” Snow for Hallowe’en in Colorado used to be like rain at 5:00 pm on a Florida summer day – you could practically set your watch (time or calendar) by it. But that hasn’t been true for a while now. So we’ll see. Otherwise, a quiet day.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
Letters From An American – October 23, 2022
Quote – In 1876, “Redeemers” set out to put an end to the southern governments that were elected in systems that allowed Black men to vote. “Rifle clubs” held contests outside Republican political rallies, “Red Shirts” marched with their guns in parades. Their intimidation worked. Democrats took over the South and created a one-party system that lasted virtually unbroken until 1965. Without the oversight that a healthy multiparty system provides, southern governments became the corrupt tools of a few wealthy men, and the rest of the population fell into a poverty from which it could not escape until the federal government began to invest in the region in the 1930s.
Click through for full letter. I learned about “Reconstruction” in school, but I never heard the word “Redemption” in that context. That they should use that word for what they actually did seems to me blasphemous. “Redemption” means “buying back.” Buying involves paying a price. They paid no price – they extorted a price from the powerless.
The Daily Beast – Florida Puts Raging MAGA Moms on Book-Banning Council
Quote – In the name of “curriculum transparency,” Florida’s Republican-controlled state government has appointed several anti-gay and anti-mask conspiracy theorists to take charge of a new effort at public schools: banning books. This hastily assembled censorship council—tasked with retraining public school librarians to abide by new restrictions—is the latest ploy in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ crusade to upend the state’s education system. But the council was also staffed under suspicious circumstances, with the state Education Department ignoring its own call for official candidates from local school districts and instead filling most of the slots with right-wing activists who have a history of proposing book bans. One was even nominated by a religious activist with close ties to the DeSantis administration a week before the department publicly called for candidates, according to government emails, hinting at secret coordination between them.
Click through for details. You can read or listen, your choice. Should Florida just change the name of its high schools to “Hitlerjugend” and be done with it?
Food For Thought
Glenn Kirschner – Judge Cannon, classified document denier; Governors Abbott & DeSantis & kidnapping by inveiglement
Meidas Touch – MAGA Republicans’ Trafficking Stunt BACKFIRES when Residents Welcome Migrants with Open Arms
The Lincoln Project – Big Problems (This one ends rather oddly – long black screen with music. Not sure what the point is. It’s plenty scary without that.)
MSNBC – Massachusetts AG Candidate Blasts Gov. DeSantis’s ‘Political Stunt’
Liberal Redneck – Immigrant Shipments
Beau – Let’s talk about the GOP needing more time for marriage equality….
Yesterday, the radio opera was “Almira” by Georg Friedrich Händel. It was his first, and he was so young when he wrote it that the libretto was in German (which is why I used the German spelling of his name – He was in fact 19), with recitatives in Italian (because he was at the time in Italy, studying Italian opera). The Early Music Society of Boston presented it in Bremen. It was 4 hours 30 munites long (in 1705 they didn’t have many other forms of entertainment to choose from or take up their time.) It’s about three couples, where the men are in love with the wrong women, and it’s complicated by Almira’s father’s dying wish, but everything gets sorted out at the end, through a twist much like Figaro’s birthmark. The music seems quite mature. The human brain may not fully develop until about the age of 25, but it appears that talent and creativity develop faster than logic and reason. If that’s an excuse for poor choices made by our ancestors, particularly in the areas of politics and gocernment, it should be no excuse for us. We live longer, and know better. But I digress. In 1712 Handel arrived in London, preceding George I by two years, where he remained the rest of his life, becoming a naturalized British citizen as George Frederick Handel. King George I latched on to him (as had Queen Anne) – though he had 6 opera coompanies, he also did a lot of work for the throne. There was a popular little verse abou him (similar to being a subjet of a meme today): “Some say compared to Bononcini that Mynheer Handel’s but a ninny. Other aver that he to Handel is scarcely fit to hold a candle. Strange that such difference should be twixt Tweedledum and Tweedledee.” As you see, it had a more lasting impact on the languange than most such verses Also (burying the lede), I got an email response confirming my visit to Virgil who is now in Pueblo (much closer). So I’ll be late commenting.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
Robert Reich – The Worst Memo in American History
Quote – We almost take for granted big corporate money in American politics. But it started with the Powell memo. In 1971, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked Lewis Powell, then an attorney in Richmond, Virginia (and future Supreme Court justice) to report on the political activities of the Left. Richard Nixon was still president, but the Chamber (along with some prominent Republicans like Powell) worried about the Left’s effects on “free enterprise.” … Powell urged businesses to mobilize for political combat.
Click through for what and why. The United States Chamber of Commerce is not your friend. This was the start of the path to Citizens United.
The New Yorker – State Legislatures Are Torching Democracy
Quote – Longtime Ohio politicians have been shocked by the state’s transformation into a center of extremist legislation, not just on abortion but on such divisive issues as guns and transgender rights. Ted Strickland, a Democrat who served as governor between 2007 and 2011, told me, “The legislature is as barbaric, primitive, and Neanderthal as any in the country. It’s really troubling.” When he was governor, he recalled, the two parties worked reasonably well together, but politics in Ohio “has changed.”
Click through for full reporting. Jane Mayer is very good at this, and in fact Steve Schmidt recommended this article. The trend may not surprise you, but how far it has come and how fast may.
Food For Thought
Glenn Kirschner – DOJ Considering Supreme Court Rejection of Trump’s Executive Privilege Claim in Mark Meadows Case
The Lincoln Project – Abbott Abased
Meidas Touch – Republican tries to explain how gas prices are Biden’s fault. It did not go well.
Republican Accountability Project – Kari Lake: Enemy of Democracy
Rebel HQ – Entitled Idiots Wage War On Science
Parody Project – Ted Lose
Beau – Let’s talk about Maus, Tennessee, and failing a test….
It’s a very tired day here in the CatBox. Unpacking and putting away groceries took over 90 minutes yesterday. Also, I slept poorly last night, as I wondered how our nation can survive another week and a half. I expect to be in the saddle tomorrow. Tomorrow and Sunday are High Holy Days in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb, but my Portland gave a bye in the Wild Card Week of the playoffs! TGIF!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:45 (average 5:05). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Cartoon:
Short Takes:
From Crooks and Liars: Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) has been a Congresswoman for approximately 9 minutes, and saw fit to make herself famous by quoting Adolf Hitler in her speech supporting Trump’s attempted coup to overturn Biden’s win in the 2020 election.
It America survives, Trump* will be out office on or before the 20th, but He would never have become Fuhrer, if he did not represent the beliefs of the Republican Party, the Nazi Party of America. RESIST!!
From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Two Days After Riots, Trump Reverses His Stance On Election Loss
The Republican Reich will parrot Trump’s* teleprompter speech and act like everything else never happened. It’s time for Trump* to become Trump** and for him and the rest of the crew to inmates. RESIST!!
From YouTube (a blast from the past): Barry McGuire – Eve Of Destruction
Ah… the memories! Again? RESIST!!
It’s a lazy day here in the CatBox. I did my research and rested for an hour and a half for my back. Tomorrow I’ll be in the saddle, but it will be a grocery delivery day. Happy Hump Day!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:32 (average 5:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Cartoon:
Short Takes:
From Crooks and Liars: Dr. Rebekah Jones built her own COVID-19 dashboard to track Florida infections and deaths after being fired for accurately reporting that data as part of her job with the state.
Since then, she’s been reporting COVID stats on her own from her own hardware in her own home. Until today. (WARNING: The video in her first tweet is triggering):
1/
There will be no update today.At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech.
They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint.
They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids.. pic.twitter.com/DE2QfOmtPU
— Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) December 7, 2020
She is guilty of truth-telling. If the Republican Reich is not destroyed, they will continue to fight to make opposition to Republican lies a capital offense. RESIST!!
From NPR: The federal government on Monday released detailed hospital-level data showing the toll COVID-19 is taking on health care facilities, including how many inpatient and ICU beds are available on a weekly basis.
Using an analysis from the University of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Hospitalization Tracking Project, NPR has created a tool that allows you to see how your local hospital and your county overall are faring. (Jump to look-up tool.)
It focuses on one important metric — how many beds are filled with COVID-19 patients — and shows this for each hospital and on average for each county.
This is a handy tool. Click “(Jump to look-up tool.)” above to use it. RESIST!!
From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): The Biden Administration: Who Will Hold the Power?
Of course the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right, and in this case, most informative! RESIST!!
From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Chris Hayes: The Rot Won’t Go Away With Trump
Of course you know that I’ve been saying this for years. Trump is not the cause of the National Socialism in the Republican Reich. He is the reflection of it. They are turning on him now, because he is a scapegoat to blame for who they are and what they have done. The only you to make the rot go away is to destroy the Republican Party. RESIST!!
From YouTube (a blast of Christmas): Nat King Cole – Away in a Manger
I pray this season brings peace and beauty to you and yours whether or not you celebrate Christmas. HUGS!!
It’s a busy day here in the CatBox as Store to Door is bringing a double-order of groceries since they will be closed next week for Thanksgiving. I have a lot to unpack and put away. Tomorrow, please expect no more than Personal Update. It’s a full WWWendy day, and we have much to do. I hope you all have a fine day.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:16 (average 4:58). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Cartoon:
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert has made quite a name for himself around these parts and others. Now the House Republican is jumping with both feet into suggesting that, well, maybe if Donald Trump didn’t win the election maybe it’s time for his Republican voters to rise up and end American democracy, period.
As reported by the Dallas Morning News, Gohmert claimed to a “Million MAGA March” audience near the White House that “this was a cheated election and we can’t let it stand.” He spoke of the American revolution and the Egyptian uprising: “They rose up though all over Egypt, and as a result of the people rising up in the greatest numbers in history,” he said, and “if they can do that there, think of what we can do here.”
And in perhaps what passed for an acknowledgement that an armed coup by red hat-wearing bozos would be, ahem, unpopular with the general public, Gohmert was quick to point out that “only about 30%” of American colonists supported that previous revolution. You don’t need a majority in these matters, after all. You just need enough ammunition.
I’m not at all surprised that the guilty party is Louie “Go Go Goose Step” Gomerde. However, it’s hard to find a Republican that would not plug into GOP Nazism. RESIST!!
From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Ex-Pres. Trump On Trial? Why It’s Not Biden’s Call
I fully agree. Biden should have nothing to do with it, one way or the other. His job, with respect to DOJ, is to provide them the means to do their job. That’s ALL! RESIST!!
From YouTube (a blast of unity): The Briar Rose Ramblers – “We Are One” (Live in a Living Room, 11-29-2015)
Amen! We are one! As such, those who would divide us, the Republican Reich, are against us all! RESIST!!