Open Thread – 12/11/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:06 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 112020

It’s a painful day here in the CatBox. I overdid it yesterday when pitting groceries away. WWWendy is coming late this afternoon. I will be in the saddle tomorrow. To give you a heads up, next week will be gruesome. Happy Hanukkah! Thank God it’s Friday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:36 (average 7:51). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: A furious Donald J. Trump attempted to fire the Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, sources report.

According to the sources, Trump was so irate about the Supreme Court’s dismissal of his election challenge on Tuesday that he phoned Barrett directly to inform her that she was “history.”

“I hired you to get a job done, and you didn’t get it done,” Trump angrily informed Barrett. “You’re out of here.”

Sources say that Barrett had the unenviable task of informing Trump that Supreme Court Justices are appointed for life and therefore cannot be fired, a revelation that left Trump “flabbergasted.”

Dang, Andy! I thought this was satire, until the part that Trump* didn’t know that it’s a lifetime appointment before Injustice Amy Coney Bullshit told him. Now I believe it. RESIST!!

From Alternet: Rep. David Byrd (R-TN) made a post on Facebook [Fakebook delinked] this Thursday saying that he may be soon placed on a ventilator due to coronavirus, and asked people to pray for him.

“I really need a miracle today!!” Byrd wrote Thursday. “My doctor said if my oxygen level doesn’t improve then he has no choice but to put me on a ventilator. So please pray that God will breathe His healing spirit into my lungs!!”

Byrd was flown by helicopter from Wayne County Hospital to St. Thomas in Nashville, where he still remains. According to the Tennessean, he was among the nearly 70 House Republicans who attended a caucus meeting held in the House chamber on November 24. A week and a half later, he was hospitalized with the virus. Reports say he was seen on the House floor without a mask. Just days before, he hosted a dinner for dozens of his fellow caucus members at a restaurant.

I’ll tell you what infuriates me. Because he’s a Republican pseudo-Christian Nazi who helped his Fuhrer spread Trump* virus to dozens (if not hundreds) of innocents, he will get special drugs and special treatment not available to those who deserve it. That is so sick! RESIST!!

From Daily Kos: After the Electoral College presumably votes Monday to affirm Joe Biden’s win, some Republican senators are reportedly preparing to acknowledge the de facto truth that never should have been in question: Donald Trump lost fair and square.

Many Senate Republicans have viewed the Dec. 14 vote both literally and figuratively speaking as the moment of truth, according to CNN. After electors in state capitals across the country finalize the certified results, those same Republicans are realizing they may have to actually part ways with their whiny, rage-y, delusional Dear Leader.

Now that’s a shit storm I can’t wait to see! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of Christmas): Bing Crosby – Silent Night

As a small child, this is the first carol I ever learned. Ah… the memories! HUGS!!

39 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/12/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:13 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 122020

It’s another Crazy day here in the CatBox. Store to Door is coming to deliver groceries, and I need to put them away. I last texted Nameless yesterday mid day. He was back on BIPAP. I don’t want to disturb his rest, but if I have not heard from him by suppertime, I’ll text him. I hope you all have a great day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:59 (average 4:25). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

That could be either the ear or the brain.

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: By Monday, Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election had been confirmed by every major media outlet, including Fox News, been welcomed by every leader of the G7 along with dozens of other foreign officials, and been celebrated in the streets of every major American city. As it turns out, all those plywood panels nailed up over windows were only there to shield sensitive eyes from just too much dancing.

When it comes to Republicans, the chorus of accolades falls away to more of a barbershop quartet … minus one. Former president George W. Bush spoke up to express his acceptance of Biden’s victory and offer the traditional best wishes for the coming term. Sen. Mitt Romney has sent along his best wishes, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski—keen to make everyone forget how she flip-flop-flipped on Amy Coney Barrett—decided to acknowledge reality. And that is about it.

But if the reaction of the Republicans over the weekend might be best described as crickets, it now seems that many of them have rediscovered their voices. And they’re using them to take up the cause of destroying democracy.

Were we expecting anything else? The only reason Crawford Caligula has taken exception is that Trump’s* political demise ensures Bush’s ability to relinquish the title “worst in US History”. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: The world is better off without people like Irvin Baxter Jr in it. A hate-mongering homophobe that, like the rest of these televangelists, had become enormously wealthy peddling poison.

Source: Pinknews

Reverend Baxter, founder of Endtime Ministries and host of End of the Age on Christian TV network Trinity Broadcasting Network, died aged 75 on Tuesday (3 November), the network said.

Now we know that for Republican pseudo-Christian (the opposite of REAL Christian) perverts, Trump* Virus is an STD! RESIST!!

From NY Times: President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s transition team is preparing multiple sets of policy proposals for the economy, health care, climate change and other domestic issues, including the ambitious agenda Mr. Biden laid out in his winning campaign, while acknowledging it may have to be pared back in recognition of divided government.

Where the incoming administration lands depends heavily on two Senate runoffs in Georgia in early January.

If Democrats win both races, close aides to Mr. Biden and economists who helped advise his campaign say the president-elect will try to push through a large stimulus plan for the flagging economic recovery — most likely along the lines of the $2.2 trillion that House Democrats approved this fall. His stimulus plan under such a scenario would include hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments that have lost tax revenue amid the pandemic recession, extended unemployment benefits for people who lost jobs during the crisis and a new round of aid for small businesses.

His team is also developing a government employment program — called the Public Health Jobs Corps — that would put 100,000 Americans to work on virus testing and contact tracing.

A narrow majority in the Senate would also give Mr. Biden the chance to push through his proposed tax increases on corporations and the rich — tax hikes that would be used to fund the president-elect’s more ambitious plans like rebuilding roads and bridges, speeding the transition to a carbon-free energy sector and helping Americans afford health care.

But if Republicans win even one of the Georgia seats, Mr. Biden will most likely need to settle for a wave of executive actions that would bring more incremental progress toward his policy goals, while trying to cut compromise deals with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader.

This is why Democratic wins in BOTH races is critically important for America’s future! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Beatles – Revolution

While the overwhelming majority of violence and destruction is perpetrated by Republicans, I reject the tiny bit that comes from the left say they are not welcome in my revolution! This tune could not be more appropriate. RESIST!!

68 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 10/19/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:52 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Oct 192020

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox. Yesterday we made a few new things to eat. For lunch, I had BBQ chicken wings and rice. That was spectacular! For supper I had Campbell’s chunky soup. For breakfast I has Cream of Wheat. Yesterday I also did the most important thing I shall do in what’s left of my life. I voted Blue no matter who top to bottom!! I did manage a badly needed nap this morning. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today I did not receive a puzzle from Jig Zone. When I entered what the URL should be, the page was not there. Hopefully they will be back tomorrow.

Cartoon:

Do you think Amy Coney Grabbit has given access to her Fuhrer? I suspect it depends on whether her husband ordered her to do so.

Trump* Virus Update:

Click for interactive maps and charts

US Cases: 8,388,013
US Deaths: 224,732
Plus all the Trump*/GOP plague murders Republicans are hiding

Religious Ecstasy:

1018Broncos18-Patriots12

As much as I am praising the wondrous Orb for my Broncos’ sake, I watched the Houston-Tennessee overtime and could not help grieving on Pat’s behalf.

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Senator Susan Collins is acknowledging that her political action committee, “Dirigo PAC” has donated money to a pair of northern Maine candidates for the state legislature who believe in QAnon.

This is what the Republican Reich considers “moderate”: raising money for QAnon candidates. ARGH! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Then and now: See Electoral College projection 16 days before election

PLEASE, America! Remember who badly we blew it four years ago! No matter how good the numbers look, we are certainly capable of selling our nation into permanent National Socialist tyranny, if we get complacent about defeating criminal Fuhrer Trump*! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Fleetwood Mac – Landslide (Official Music Video)

A Landslide is certainly what we need. Ah… the memories! Protest like the 60s! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Just like I did!!

Losers and Suckers

Posted by TomCat at 11:02 am Politics

Sep 042020

The military and I have often been on opposite sides over the years. They have served in wars against which I have protested, and devious politicians have used them as weapons against protests that included me. So one might think I have a low opinion of service people, but that is not true. I consider them honorable people who have been used as cannon fodder for dishonest political ends in most of the conflicts in my lifetime. I have always believed that protesters should hate the wars but love the warriors. Except for one very tiny portion of heroes KIA, I would never consider them “Losers” and “Suckers”!

When President Donald Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that “the helicopter couldn’t fly” and that the Secret Service wouldn’t drive him there. Neither claim was true.

Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.

Belleau Wood is a consequential battle in American history, and the ground on which it was fought is venerated by the Marine Corps. America and its allies stopped the German advance toward Paris there in the spring of 1918. But Trump, on that same trip, asked aides, “Who were the good guys in this war?” He also said that he didn’t understand why the United States would intervene on the side of the Allies…[emphasis added]

Inserted from <The Atlantic>
Photo credit: The Logical Indian

Because of Trump’s historical illiteracy, he may have been thinking of opposing the WWII allies. His Fifth Reich today borrows so much from Hitler’s Third Reich, that I bet he wishes the US had joined the Axis.

Here are two videos that document this hatred of American heroes.

Trump Calls Fallen Soldiers “Losers” and “Suckers”

Outrage, But Not Surprise, At Reports That Trump Called Fallen Veterans ‘Suckers’, ‘Losers’

There are losers and suckers in military cemeteries. They are the ones who voted for Trump in 2016 before dying. But troops that vote for Trump* in 2020, after he said this and continued to support Putin [R-RU] after Putin paid bounties for dead US soldiers, are the biggest losers and suckers in US military history.

Speaking as a dying man, if Trump steals the 2020 election, I will consider death a blessing.

RESIST!!

Open Thread – 8/26/2020

Posted by TomCat at 12:03 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 262020

It’s another tired day, here in the CatBox. I overslept again this morning, but I still took a morning nap. Then I overslept from that too, so I’m running somewhat behind schedule. Last night I got to tell WWWendy she’s full of shit. She used my toilet and plugged it. That’s what happens when you get too many Republicans in one place. Fortunately she unplugged it too. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:16 (average 4:19). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

US Cases: 5,957,522
US Deaths: 182,471
Plus the many GOP plague murder victims Republicans are hiding from us.

RNC Deplorables Take:

Night two of the RNC was more of the same.

I was particularly taken with the abject hypocrisy of der Reichsminister der Staat, Mike Pompeo. Do you remember how Republicans screamed when the Chicks (then Dixie Chicks) criticized GW ChickenHawk, Fuhrer of the failed Fourth Reich, for lying about his failed attempt to conquer Iraq for oil and profit? Then Republicans claimed that all politics stops at the water’s edge. But last night, Pompeo delivered his totally political message, praising Trump’s* failed foreign policy, from Jerusalem. Republican pseudo-Christians (the opposite of real authentic Christians) loved it, but it was unethical at best, if not criminal.

The following is a summary of everything that occurred:

Short Takes:

From USA Today: Hurricane Laura, which grew to a Category 3 storm early Wednesday, is forecast to bring “potentially catastrophic” storm surge, fierce winds and flash flooding to eastern Texas and Louisiana on Wednesday night and early Thursday, the National Hurricane Center says.

More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate as the storm approached, including the Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur.

Even if Laura reaches Category 4 strength during the day on Wednesday, forecasters still expect the storm to hit near the Texas-Louisiana border as a Category 3 hurricane, as it’s predicted to weaken slightly before landfall. The storm has already intensified a “remarkable” amount in the past 24 hours, the storm center says.

Laura is growing in size, too. “Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles,” forecasters said.

0826Laura

Aren’t we lucky that criminal Fuhrer Trump and the Republican Reich stole FEMA’s operating funds? The poor that are devastated by this Republicane are SOL. But what will Republicans raid to pay for slightest storm damage to the property of billionaires: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, aid to starving children? If you’re in Laura’s path, please tale care. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Trump’s 40 Biggest Broken Promises Revealed

Of course the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right, while the Reich on the right, the Republican Reich, don’t care how wrong they are. They’re too busy having wet dreams over criminal Fuhrer Trump*. They chose him to be their beloved Fifth Reich Fuhrer, because he reflects the ideas, values and policies of the Republican Reich better than anyone since the original Fuhrer, who lead the Third Reich! But how did Robert limit it to just 40? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Trump Song Parody Blasts the President’s Many Misdeeds

Amen! Kudos to left-wing protesters! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 8/25/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:31 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 252020

It’s a tired day, here in the CatBox, but I did get a nap this morning. My meeting with Diana was routine, except that Trump* was speaking when she arrived. I gave her a barf bag. She appreciated it. WWWendy is coming tonight to destink the rancid TomCat, change my pain patch, do lots of gooping, and help with chores. Close the lid before you flush, so the Republicans don’t get away!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:31 (average 4:15). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0825TrumpVirusMap

Click for interactive map

US Cases: 5,917,479
US Deaths: 181,204
Plus all the GOP Plague murder victims Republicans are hiding from us.

Deplorable RNC Take:

When I got up for supper the Republican National Convention was already underway. Dressing, which I have to do in bed, takes me about 15 minutes, so I tried to count the lies. I failed. Actually, I gave up, when I had counted 75 before I finished dressing.

It was truly ugly. They called Trump* Virus ‘China Virus’ and praised Trump* for the magnificent way he has protected us from it. They set their platform as whatever their God damn Fuhrer wants. Do you remember the McCloskys, those vile racists, who got a ‘Republicans on Parade for threatening BLM protesters with guns from their front yard? They were the stars of the show, behind Trump*. They said Biden and the “Democrat Party” want to do away with the suburbs, implying that black people would move in and make them slums.

Here is a complete summary of everything that occurred.

The person at the bottom of the picture is YOU!

Short Takes:

From Reuters: In a claim likely to intensify the controversy surrounding one of the most influential figures in the American Christian conservative movement, a business partner of Jerry Falwell Jr has come forward to say he had a years-long sexual relationship involving Falwell’s wife and the evangelical leader.

Giancarlo Granda says he was 20 when he met Jerry and Becki Falwell while working as a pool attendant at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel in March 2012. Starting that month and continuing into 2018, Granda told Reuters that the relationship involved him having sex with Becki Falwell while Jerry Falwell looked on.

Granda showed Reuters emails, text messages and other evidence that he says demonstrate the sexual nature of his relationship with the couple, who have been married since 1987. “Becki and I developed an intimate relationship and Jerry enjoyed watching from the corner of the room,” Granda said in an interview. Now 29, he described the liaisons as frequent – “multiple times per year” – and said the encounters took place at hotels in Miami and New York, and at the Falwells’ home in Virginia.

This is typical of the hypocrisy of Republican pseudo-Christians, the opposite of real authentic Christians. FYI, Falwell now refuses to resign from Liberty University. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Jeff Merkley Channel): Merkley Speaks Out Against Secret Police

Jeff could not be more spot-on about Trump’s* GOP Gestapo! Oregon leads the way! I’m so glad I worked on his campaign in 2008, the year he won his seat from Oregon’s last Republican Senator, Gordon “Goose Step” Smith! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): “Like a Brick Thrown in Troubled Water” – a Roy Zimmerman song parody

Isn’t that the truth?!!? Kudos to left-wing protesters! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 8/20/2020

Posted by TomCat at 12:16 pm Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 202020

It’s a busy, tired, painful day, here in the CatBox. My infusion yesterday went well, and I’ve had no side-effects, so far. However, except for an hour in the infusion recliner, I had to be in my wheelchair from 9:30 AM until 8:30 PM, and that’s so hard on my back that maximum pain killers barely takes the edge off the pain. Store to Door delivered groceries today so I had to unpack them and put them away. In addition, I spent over an hour on the phone on medical mayhem. JD, would you please cover Sam Bee, as I’m doing something else. Have a great day, everyone!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:18 (average 6:24). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0820TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 5,702,837
US Deaths: 176,396
Plus all the GOP plague murder victims Republicans are hiding from us.

Long Take:

Watch: Democratic National Convention: Day 3

Kamala was magnificent. Barack Obama actually called criminal Fuhrer Trump* a threat to democracy. Such a statement by a former precedent. That and the nomination of the first African American and Asian American for VP make this a historic event! RESIST!!

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Sen. Susan Collins has, of course, expressed her concern about the sabotage of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) at the hands of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. What Collins doesn’t want all of her constituents—the people for whom she calls the USPS “a lifeline,” the “seniors, veterans, and those in rural areas who are depending on reliable mail delivery for essential goods and services”—to find out is that she’s the person most responsible for this mess.

DeJoy can say he’s making all of the cuts to services because of the dire financial situation of the USPS. Yes, we know he’s doing it to try to right the election for Trump, but the financial crisis at the post office has given him the opportunity to do so. And Collins, more than anyone else, is responsible for that. She’s the one who engineered this crisis. In 2005, Collins introduced the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA), which required the USPS to prepay the next 50 years’ worth of health and retirement benefits for every postal service employee. It is the only federal agency that is saddled with this requirement. At the time, she was the chair of the Senate government oversight panel, and she got the bill through her committee and onto the floor in 2006. It passed on a voice vote on Dec. 20, 2006 in the lame duck session before Democrats took back control of the Senate.

What the legislation required of the USPS was to calculate the entirety of its pension costs for the next three-quarters of a century—75 years—and spend the next decade putting away enough money to cover the majority of them. Which is insane. And has accounted for nearly 90% of the service’s red ink in the past decade. Right now, the USPS is $160.9 billion in debt for what it owes to prepay retirees, and has years’ worth of operating deficits because it can’t generate revenue under the restrictions placed by the law.

Collins is great at pretending she’s a center-left moderate, but she’s more like Goose Step Gordon Smith, the Senator I worked to help Jeff Merkley [D-OR] defeat. She’s always with us, when we don’t need her, but against us, when we do. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Raw Story Channel): Sandra Smith grills Kayleigh McEnany about Trump’s praise of QAnon

Once again Kayleigh Lie-a-Lot proves she is a Republican with a PhD (piled higher and deeper) in Bullshitology. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Family Guy – Republican Town Song

Is this great satire or what? Kudos to left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 8/8/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:36 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics, Religion

Aug 082020

It’s a very tired day, here in the CatBox. JD, would you please cover Bill Maher? I have another lead story that needs doing. Yesterday they increased my Fentanyl dosage to 25 mg, so I’ll be in less pain starting with my next patch change Monday. The PET scan was not good. My oncologist is seeking insurance approval for a drug called Pembrolizumab. The chances of severe side effects (excessive immune response) are less than 5%. If it works, which is a long shot, it will tag my cancer cells with markers that allow my own immune system to recognize and attack them. If insurance will not approve, because it’s a long shot, or if it doesn’t work, I’ll be fortunate to see 2021. I hope you have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:02 (average 5:46). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0808TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 5,098,494
US Deaths: 164,144

Short Takes:

From Alternet: The Sturgis, South Dakota motorcycle rally in 2015. This year’s rally, now underway, is expected to attract 250,000 people.

It would be too much to expect the millions of Americans who choose to celebrate their personal identity with intentionally loud and purposely obnoxious, high-polluting machines, operated at speeds in excess of 70 mph on our nation’s highways, with zero protection between themselves and the roadway, all to care equally about potentially infecting other people with an invisible virus.

Still, for at least a discrete subgroup of those folks who claim the “individual freedom” to face a fatality risk 26 times the rate of other motorists, attendance at the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota this year in the midst of the deadliest global pandemic in over a century, signifies a quantum leap of sorts in both irresponsibility and crass disregard not only for their own lives, but for the rest of the people in this country as well.

Certainly many bikers are not Republican fools. They will not be there. The deplorable Republican Sheeple will spread Trump’s* Republican plague far and wide! RESIST!!

From NY Times: Jerry Falwell Jr., one of President Trump’s most prominent and controversial evangelical supporters, will take an indefinite leave of absence from his role as president and chancellor of Liberty University, the board of trustees announced [pseudo-Christians delinked] on Friday.

The news comes days after Mr. Falwell posted, and then deleted, a photograph on Instagram of him posing alongside a woman with his pants unzipped and his arm around her.

Mr. Falwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier in the week, he apologized for the photo.

Franklin Graham, who leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, defended Mr. Falwell in an interview on Friday evening.

“He is a great leader and he has taken this school — it is one of the largest universities in the United States. He’s done an incredible job,” Mr. Graham said. “He is a great leader and I certainly support him.”

I thought you might appreciate this follow-up. I wonder how many BJs Graham has gotten on Falwell’s yacht. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Barry McGuire – Eve of Destruction

Are we in the eve of destruction from the Republican Reich? Kudos to left-wing demonstrators! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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