Open Thread – 8/23/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:42 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 232020

It’s a crazy Sunday, here in the CatBox. I overslept by over 90 minutes, so that was my AM nap. Have a fine Sunday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:19 (average 4:37). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

Click for Interactive Map

US Cases: 5,844,432
US Deaths: 180,228
Plus all the GOP plague murder victims Republicans are hiding from us.

The Showdown at Chicken Liver Gulch:

Yesterday, there was some hilarity here. At my request WWWendy sautéed and gooped some chicken livers. Now Wendy’s opinion of liver is considerably worse than my opinion of Trump*. It was delicious, and I had some for lunch with guacamole, aka goopamole. I often feed her bites of goopamole, when I eat it, so I did so yesterday. I had teasingly asked her if she’d like a bite of liver to see the strength of her NO! So when I offered her the goopamole, she decided that I was using goopamole to hide the liver underneath. Although I have never done anything mean to her, it took me several minutes to convince her that I would not do such a thing, and she enjoyed the goopamole. In fact, I was so considerate that I gargled with Listerine, so I could hug her goodbye without liver on my breath. It was so good, I had more for breakfast.

Short Takes:

From CNN: Maryanne Trump Barry bitterly criticized her brother, President Donald Trump, saying, “Donald’s out for Donald,” and appeared to confirm her niece Mary Trump’s previous allegations that he had a friend take his SATs to get into college, according to audio excerpts obtained by CNN.

The Washington Post first obtained the previously unreleased transcripts and audio from Mary Trump, author of a recent bombshell book about the President and one of his most outspoken critics. Mary Trump, who has said that Donald Trump is unfit to be president and has voiced support for his rival Joe Biden, revealed to the Post that she had secretly taped 15 hours of face-to-face conversations with Barry in 2018 and 2019.

In one of the conversations revealed by the Post, Trump’s sister called him “cruel.”

Among the some of the more critical comments made by Barry was commenting on how her younger 74-year-old brother operated as president. “His goddamned tweet and lying, oh my God,” she said, according to the recording. “I’m talking too freely, but you know. The change of stories. The lack of preparation. The lying. Holy shit.”

This is nothing new to us, but it might influence those few, who are still on the fence. RESIST!!

From NY Times: Tropical Storms Marco and Laura continued to churn in the Caribbean on Saturday, prompting a wave of warnings and watches for several countries, and leading the governor of Louisiana to declare a state of emergency.

Marco on Saturday was about 110 miles northwest of the western tip of Cuba, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday night.

Mr. Cline said it was possible that both storms would become hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico as early as Monday. He added that it would be “pretty unusual” and that the last time it happened was in 1933. The last time a hurricane and a tropical storm were both in the Gulf of Mexico was in 1959, he said…[emphasis added]

Note that for the second time, criminal Fuhrer Trump* has stolen FEMA funds to pay for his scams. First, he did so in 2019 to pay for the wall that never happened. Second, he did so to pay for the Unemployment relief that nobody received. I doubt that he will put the money back, even though hurricanes are on the way. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): “He’s Got Bone Spurs” a Roy Zimmerman song parody

So true! Kudos to left wing protestors. RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 8/14/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:36 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 142020

It’s a sickly day here in the CatBox. I experimented with a new kind of goop this morning, and sometimes such experiments fail. It blocked my tumor, and I spent most of the morning throwing up. On the plus side, most of my goop experiments have been successful, giving me a variety of tasty things to eat. TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Speaking of goop, today’s took me 3:29 (average 5:22). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Republicans HATE this treaty, ratified unanimously by our founding fathers.

Trump* Virus Update:

Click for interactive map

US Cases: 5,418,071
US Deaths: 170,446
Plus all Trump’s* Murder victims Republicans are hiding from us

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In a blistering takedown of Joe Biden’s running mate, Donald Trump on Thursday accused Senator Kamala Harris of maliciously speaking in complete sentences.

Blasting her penchant for hewing to the rules of grammar, Trump said, “A lot of people are saying, mean, nasty, disrespectful. To a new level, like you wouldn’t believe.”

“Sad,” he said. “Sick and sad.”

I’m not buying that fib, Andy! Trump is much too racist to say any minority can speak in complete sentences. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Trump Speechless After Reporter Asks If He Regrets Lying To Americans

The lies are bad enough. Even worse, he and the Republican Reich have murdered over 8.52 Americans with their Trump* virus plague for each of those 20,000+ lies! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): DUMP TRUMP SONG – Leigh & The Dumpettes

Amen! Flush!! Kudos to left wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 8/12/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:42 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 122020

It’s a relatively comfortable day, here in the CatBox with two days in the 70°s, before the next heat wave builds to a 100°+ weekend. WWWendy and WWKristin returned safely and happy, albeit sunburned. They return your greetings and kind wishes. Tomorrow I may have no more than as Personal Update or an Open Thread. It’s a WWWendy day, but I won’t know when she’s coming until after she gets her work schedule later today. It’s also a grocery delivery day. Happy Hump Day to all!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:04 (average 5:15). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0812TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 5,309,622
US Deaths: 167,789

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In a rare instance of praising one of his White House predecessors, Donald J. Trump on Tuesday hailed Woodrow Wilson for opposing efforts to institute online learning during the 1918 pandemic.

“There were a lot of crybabies in 1918 saying, ‘The schools aren’t safe—let the kids learn on their computers,’ ” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Woody wouldn’t hear of it.”

Instead, Trump said, “Kids went to school and the influenza just kind of disappeared eventually. Woody did a fantastic job.”

Dang, Andy! Are you sure he didn’t praise Wilson because of his overt racism and KKK support? RESIST!!

From Alternet: Remember when political reporters crowed about what a masterful play Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had made when he lined up his caucus to acquit Donald Trump without hearing from a single witness? Yeah, that acquittal came on February 6 when U.S. senators were already getting briefed on the seriousness of the coronavirus’ spread abroad.

But Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, fell all over themselves to make sure Trump was at the helm when the pandemic hit U.S. shores. Now, what once looked like a promising cycle for Senate Republicans has turned entirely treacherous precisely because the caucus is saddled with Trump as their standard bearer.

Politico reports the party is directing nearly its entire $100 million war chest at saving the seats of eight incumbent senators while the few GOP candidates aiming to defeat a Democrat have been left almost entirely to their own devices. With the exception of funneling a little money into the effort to defeat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama, they simply don’t have the resources to play offense.

The seat of Democratic Sen. Gary Peters from Michigan, for instance, once seemed like a flippable seat. But as Trump has tanked in the state and Joe Biden is presently positioned very well there, Senate Republicans have left Republican candidate John James to fend for himself.

Instead, GOP groups, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund have been trying to bolster their defenses in Georgia, Iowa, and Montana—three states that weren’t even on the radar as potential Democratic pick ups when the cycle started.

I wonder how much of that money is going to help Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch. This shows how desperate the Republican Reich has become. May all their efforts fail! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Noodle Muffin’s “Morning in America” Music Video

Under Trump*, we are mourning in America! Kudos to left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

It Is What It Is!

Posted by TomCat at 10:58 am Politics

Aug 052020

Criminal Fuhrer Trump* had an interview on Axios with Jonathan Swan. I was vaguely aware of it, but when I opened my email this morning, I found a link from Lona that zeroed me in on how important it is. Kudos to Jonathan Swan and Lona.

The President has implemented this strategy for the past five months, repeatedly touting “the pandemic is totally under control”, as cases and deaths have spiralled [sic].

It’s a message many within the medical world have criticised [sic] as being disconnected from reality and a danger to public health.

Swan pressed Trump on whether “wishful thinking” and “salesmanship” was an appropriate leadership style for handling the worst pandemic of the century, which has killed more than 150,000 Americans.

“Right now, I think it’s under control,” Trump said at one point.

“How? A thousand Americans are dying a day,” Swan interjected.

“They are dying, that’s true. And you ha… It is what it is,” Trump replied…

Inserted from <ABC News Australia>

That single horrific line may summarize both the interview and criminal Fuhrer Trump’s* total lack of empathy, but Swan was on Trump’s* case from beginning to end. He did such a god job, that I’m including the entire 38 minute interview. Unfortunately that’s also a lot of Trump*

AXIOS on HBO: President Trump Exclusive Interview (Full Episode)

Barf Bag Alert!!

To criminal Fuhrer Trump*. It isn’t what it is. It is what you made it, you asshole!

RESIST!!

Open Thread – 7/30/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:44 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 302020

It’s another busy day here in the CatBox. Store to Door will be delivering my grocery order, and I have to unpack and store them. I’m still feeling quite tired after yesterday. May the Lord bless and keep you free of Trump’s* Republican plague! Update: I’m running late, because groceries are done.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:54 (average 4:32). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0730TrumpVirusMap

Click for interactive map.

US Cases: 4,571,065
US Deaths: 153,898
World Cases: 17,242,728
World Deaths: 671,262
Trump’s Share of World Deaths: 22.9%
US Share of World Population: 4.3%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): 5 Key Demands for the New Coronavirus Bill

Of course the Reich on the Left, Robert Reich is right. Demands 1 – 5 are spot on. But the Reich on the right, the Republican Reich, want to keep the money flowing from the poor to the rich, and Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch will never allow this a vote in the Senate. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Rep. Louie Gohmert tests positive for Covid-19

This is exactly what I’d expect from Go-Go Goose-step Gomerde. It can only happen to a bigger asshole of he gives criminal Fuhrer Trump* a big sloppy French kiss! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Edwin Starr – War (Original Video – 1969)

Kudos to left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Samantha Bee from 7/22/2020

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 1:13 pm Politics

Jul 232020

Here are four “acts” from Sam’s show, plus a parting thought.

Deniers, Dimwits, etc. Part I

Texas, Florida, yes, they are indeed the poster children. Could one call it a catch-22 that Democratic governors who ask for help don’t get any from this regime just because, whereas Republican governors can get whatever they want, but they don’t want anything?

Deniers, Dimwits, etc. Part II

Georgia, Oklahoma, Arizona – all just as bad if not worse, but lower in population so lower in numbers – at least for now. May I throw in a picture which is worth a thousand or so words?

Masha – (Whom we should have listened to in 2016)

Voter turnout is tough to get, always, because people don’t see how much every vote matters in the ocean of votes. And there are otherwise intelligent people who don’t think the vote is the strongest way to bring about change (I’m looking at you, Noam.) What I think they are forgetting is how quickly and effectively change achieved through movements and activism can be UNdone if it isn’t supported at the ballot box. Can I attempt an analogy? Sitting around and breathing may not be the most powerful way to live a full life. Lifelong learning, exercise, love of family and friends are all more powerful in making one feel one has a life. But if you don’t also breathe, all those other things kind of lose their power.

Sam’s Shed – Mister Wives

Cool. Of course I’m old fashioned.

Those are the four acts she promised, but she also had a parting thought –

RESIST!

Open Thread–7/23/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:51 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 232020

It;s a busy day here in the CatBox. WWWendy is coming, and it’s a grocery delivery day. JD, would you please cover Samantha Bee? Tomorrow, I have a visit from the Providence home doctor, so how much I’ll do is still up in the air. Please have a great day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:02 (average 5:14). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0723TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,102,002
US Deaths: 146,198
World Cases: 15,415,731
World Deaths: 631,164
Trump’s* share of World Deaths: 23.2%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Trump Tries To Link COVID-19 Surge To Black Lives Matter Protest

Trump* is spreading bullshit, as usual. The BLM protestors wear mask. The reasons for the surge are Republican incompetence, neglect, lies, and super-spreader events. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Comment): No, this reporter didn’t call Kayleigh McEnany a ‘lying b**ch’

The reporter clearly said, “you don’t want to engage”. However, by not calling Kayleigh Lie-a-lot a “lying bitch”, that reporter really screwed up! She should have! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Trae Crowder Channel): Liberal Redneck – Trump’s Secret Police

I agree, Trae. I live in Portland, and I’ve been calling these Republican stormtroopers Trump’s* Nazi Gestapo since they got here. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): Billy Bragg – There is Power in a Union

Except for unmuzzled Republican Nazi police unions, support labor! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

The Fuhrer’s Briefing on his Plague

Posted by TomCat at 10:42 am Politics

Jul 222020

Yesterday criminal Fuhrer Trump* must have felt anxious over watching his chances to steal the 2020 election slip through the fingers on his tiny hands. In an attempt to circumvent that probability, he dusted off his PhD in Bullshitology. True to form, he piled it higher and deeper.

President Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic was growing more severe in the United States and endorsed mask wearing in a shift after weeks of playing down the seriousness of the crisis that has killed more than 140,000 Americans.

Rather than just “embers” of the virus, as he has repeatedly characterized recent outbreaks afflicting much of the country, Mr. Trump conceded that there were now “big fires,” particularly in Florida and elsewhere across the South and West. He vowed to press a “relentless” campaign to curb the spread without offering any new specific plans for how to do so.

“It will probably, unfortunately, get worse before it gets better,” Mr. Trump told reporters as he resumed the televised coronavirus briefings that he had called off in late April. “Something I don’t like saying about things, but that’s the way it is. It’s what we have.”

The president’s shift had its limits, however, as he again congratulated himself on his handling of the pandemic, admitted no missteps and made a number of specious claims. He included none of his public health experts in the briefing and falsely asserted that he had never resisted wearing a mask. And he contradicted his own press secretary, who had told reporters just hours earlier that the president was sometimes tested for the virus multiple times a day; in fact, he said, he has never been tested more than once in a single day… [emphasis added]