Open Thread–4/5/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:55 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 052020

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox. WWWendy is here and gooping, while I finish. This is my only article today.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:41 (average 4:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0405TrumpVirusMap

Cases: 311,656
Deaths: 8,454
Recovered: 14,828

0405TrumpVirusData

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: The National Incompetence Stockpiles, the federal reserves of inanity and ineptitude to be drawn upon in times of crisis, are at “full capacity,” the Government Accountability Office announced on Saturday.

According to the G.A.O., the Incompetence Stockpiles are so well stocked at the moment that they are in danger of overflowing.

“The sheer tonnage of failure and impotence that is being dumped into the stockpiles on a daily basis is straining their ability to contain it,” the G.A.O. statement read.

Davis Logsdon, a professor at the University of Minnesota who has written the definitive book about the National Incompetence Stockpiles, said that the nation’s futility reserves stand at their highest levels ever, eclipsing the record stockpiles established during the tenure of President George W. Bush.

“The Bush Administration tapped the National Incompetence Stockpiles when it invaded Iraq and responded to Hurricane Katrina,” Logsdon said. “At the time, it seemed as though the stockpiles would never be fully replenished, and that makes the Trump Administration’s achievement all the more striking.”

What can I say, Andy? You could not have nailed this better! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Raw Story Channel): Devin Nunes: Homeless people are the ‘zombie apocalypse’

Barf Bag Alert!!

Nincompoop Nunes had it bass-ackwards. If America has a zombie apocalypse, it’s the Republican Reich. This is the garbage that the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda, Faux Noise, feeds their deplorable sheeple. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Rolling Stones – Angie (HQ)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–4/4/2020

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

Apr 042020

It’s very busy day here at the CatBox, but I am feeling better than yesterday. Tomorrow and Monday please expect no more than Personal Updates or Open Threads. Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, with all the normal chores plus it’s Infernal Revenue Day. Monday, I go to the hospital to have an infusion port surgically installed in my chest. WWWendy will bring me home. Tuesday will depend on how I feel after that surgery. Love to you all!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:34 (average 6:40). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0404TrumpVirusMap

Cases: 277,613
Deaths: 7,406
Recovered: 12,294

Short Takes:

From Twitter:

Could lose health care access due to getting fired:

Australia: 0
Belgium: 0
Canada: 0
Chile: 0
Denmark: 0
Finland: 0
France: 0
Germany: 0
Greece: 0
Hungary: 0
Italy: 0
Japan: 0
New Zealand: 0
Norway: 0
Portugal: 0
S Korea: 0
Spain: 0
Sweden: 0
Turkey: 0
UK: 0

USA: 160,000,000

— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) April 3, 2020

Does that say it all, or what? RESIST!!

From YouTube (Real Time Channel): Sen. Bernie Sanders

Click through using the channel link for the rest of Bill’s show. I don’t have time to submit an article on it this week, but it’s there for you. As for Bernie, he could not be more spot on in his outlook for dealing with the effects of Trump* virus. Looking to the future, Trump and the Republican Reich have trashed the economy so completely that tying health care to employment is no longer feasible. On Bill’s ‘Manhattan Project’, we need health care that bases profit on wellness. We have healthcare that bases profit on sickness. That’s bass-ackward! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Maddow to Trump: You Had One Job. Virus Response Needs Competent Leadership

This is one of Rachel’s best ever! Kate Brown, Governor of Oregon, just lent respirators to New York. Oregon leads the way! Kate is as competent and caring as criminal Fuhrer Trump* and all his Republican lackeys are incompetent and uncaring. Incompetence is a hallmark of the Republican Reich, such as Katrina and the Republican Recession of 2008. What do we say of the Trump* virus pandemic and the Republican Depression of 2020? It’s Trump’s* job, so we say “Heck of a job, Donnie*!” RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Nancy Sinatra – Friday’s Child

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Samantha Bee from 4/1

Posted by TomCat at 10:41 am Politics

Apr 022020

It’s that time of week again, and here are five excellent video clips from Sam’s show last night. Enjoy!!

Introducing: Coronavirus For Her!

Women and especially female health care workers, putting themselves at risk, are heroes, unlike the Republicans responsible for killing them off with Trump* virus.

The 2020 Election: What Do You Have To Lose?

Stacey for VP? Works for me!

Sam Vs. Wild

Dang! It’s almost impossible to get TP with criminal Fuhrer Trump’s* face on it. Is that because TP is in short supply, or because so many want to wipe their ass on an asshole?

Stay Home and Fill Out Your 2020 Census!

I did! Did you?

There IS Crying in Baseball…And Everywhere Else

Will Trump* virus kill football too? AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Great show from Sam!

RESIST!!

Open Thread–4/2/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:41 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 022020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. WWWendy is stopping by, because she took my keys home by mistake last night. Store to Door is delivering groceries this afternoon, and I have to but them away. I feel very tired.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:42 (average 5:46). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0402TrumpVirusMap

Cases: 215,395
Deaths: 5,113
Recovered: 8,892

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Issuing a new distancing guideline on Wednesday, Donald Trump said that he was now practicing distancing from all of his previous statements about the coronavirus.

“As of today, I will be keeping a great distance between myself and anything I said about covid-19 in the months of January, February, and March,” he said. “I will be staying at least six feet away from those statements, and probably more like ten thousand feet.”

Trump said that he could not predict how long his new practice of distancing would continue, but indicated, “Next week, I will probably be distancing myself from things I said this week. This could go on for a long time.”

Well Andy, I see you’re back to straight news. You described criminal Fuhrer Trump* perfectly! RESIST!!

From NY Times: Taking their cue from President Trump, Republicans at every level of the party are pushing ahead with plans to put on their national convention this summer and provide Mr. Trump the kind of gauzy coronation he seeks.

Democrats, by contrast, are mired in uncertainty. Access to their convention arena in Milwaukee is contingent on the state of the N.B.A. playoffs, and they won’t have an undisputed nominee until at least early June, while state parties scramble to rewrite rules governing delegate selection.

Even former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., the likely Democratic nominee, has said “it’s hard to envision” his party’s convention taking place as planned in July. “The fact is it may have to be different,” he said during an appearance on MSNBC Tuesday night.

There may be a plus side to this. The cream of America’s National Socialist elite may contract Trump* virus through their own stupidity. While I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, it may well be what’s best for America. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Jim Croce – Time in a bottle – 1973

Since Lona Requested ballads, I found a playlist of ballads. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–4/1/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:12 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 012020

It’s another tired day here in the CatBox. I’ve been very busy researching my medical way forward. I did order one thing from Amazon that should help with both Trump* and cancer: 100 barf bags. I just learned I get my port in next Monday and have my first infusion the following Monday. This is getting too real! WWWendy comes this evening to de-stink the TomCat and help with chores. I’m ready for a nap, and it’s only 8:30. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:46 (average 5:33). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Jen Sorensen Cartoon:

Embedded with permission from Jen Sorensen.

Trump* Virus Update:

0401TrumpVirusMap

Cases: 188,881
Deaths: 4,066
Recovered: 7,251

0401HospitalBeds

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Donald J. Trump should use this time when he is staying at home to repeat first grade, the nation’s teachers are urging.

Carol Foyler, the executive director of the National Alliance of Elementary Educators, said that the homebound Trump has a “golden opportunity” to use remote learning to repeat the first-grade curriculum.

“At a time when many of our nation’s children are being homeschooled, this seems like the perfect time for President Trump to learn the basics of reading, writing, and math,” she said. “By June, he could be reading ‘Hop on Pop’ and ‘Go, Dog, Go!’ ”

Sorry, Andy. I just can’t believe this one. All elementary educators are bright enough to be certain that criminal Fuhrer Trump* would flunk first grade. RESIST!!

From Alternet: Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s financial disclosures from late February and early March are simply fascinating. We already knew that Loeffler sold off a lot of stock in early February, while buying stock in a company positioned to do well during coronavirus shutdowns because it provides online meetings. But the hugely wealthy senator’s money moves didn’t stop there.

Loeffler sold off $18.7 million in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange. Loeffler’s husband, Jeff Sprecher, is the CEO of the company and she used to be an executive there. Loeffler and Sprecher also sold shares of retail stores including Lululemon and T.J. Maxx, while making another really interesting investment. This time, they bought shares of a company that makes protective gear being used in hospitals fighting COVID-19.

She did not even warn her own constituents, let alone the rest of us, that she knew the Trump* virus pandemic was about to strike. How many thousands did she and Republicans like her murder by choosing to line their own pockets, instead of doing their job? RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): How to Prepare for the Trump Recession with Robert Reich

Of course the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right. The Reich on the Right, the Republican Reich, cares only for grabbing power and providing welfare for billionaires. All of Robert’s proposals are spot-on, but only as a start. I will not survive the Republican Recession. I hope and pray you do! RESIST!!

From YouTube: Canned Heat – On The Road Again [HQ]

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–3/31/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:53 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 312020

It’s a very tired day here in the CatBox. Yesterday’s trip was a success, but the trip exhausted me. I am Big Time pooped. The doctor and I were on the same page. Since my cancer cells did not react favorably to immunotherapy, and the best chemo regimen would fill my home with Republicosis, I asked her of there was another chemo drug that would not cause such a severe reaction. She had anticipated my request and there is: Docetaxel. They will install an infusion port in my chest and pump me full of chemo goop every two weeks. It will give me nausea, but they have meds to help that. I will lose my hair. If it’s effective, I should have a year. If not, I may make it six months. That’s the plan. Tuesday is flatulence at Republicans day. Ready… Aim… FIRE!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:05 (average 4:30). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0330TrumpVirus

Cases: 164,798
Deaths: 3,178
Recovered: 5,507

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Donald Trump called in to Fox & Friends Monday morning and openly admitted that if more people vote, Republicans will lose. Democrats are pushing for vote by mail so that people don’t have to risk coronavirus to exercise their right to vote. Asked about “special interest projects” added to coronavirus relief bills, that is right where Trump’s mind went.

“The things they had in there were crazy,” he said. “They had levels of voting that if you ever agreed to it you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.” You might think it’s amazing to hear a politician in a democracy saying that democracy is bad, but Trump joins a long line of Republicans saying that too much voting is bad.

Criminal Fuhrer Trump* is not the first Republican to voice this sentiment, and he won’t be the last. Republicans want to make the Fifth Reich permanent and establish a National Socialist plutocracy in which elections are only for show, because Republicans control who gets to vote. RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: In a conversation over the weekend that reportedly left the President “shaken,” Dr. Anthony Fauci warned Donald Trump that if everyone in the United States dies, it would adversely affect his television ratings.

Although Fauci was quick to add that the everyone-dying scenario was purely hypothetical, he stressed that, from a medical perspective, alive people were more likely than dead ones to watch television.

According to a source familiar with the conversation, the possible impact of covid-19 fatalities on Trump’s ratings “totally blindsided” the President, who immediately convened an emergency meeting of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

“It’s time you losers started taking this situation seriously,” Trump reportedly barked. “Especially you, Pence.”

I wondered why criminal Fuhrer Trump flip-flopped to support social distancing. Andy has explained it. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Status Quo – Pictures Of Matchstick Men

I hope that those of you who had not heard some of my psychedelic hippie music are enjoying it. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–3/29/2019

Posted by TomCat at 10:38 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 292020

I’m in a hurry, as WWWendy will be here in a few minutes. This is my only article today, and I may have to finish it later. Tomorrow I have my oncologist appointment, so please expect only a short Personal Update. Have a fine Sunday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:27 (average 5:04). To do it, click here. Bow did you do?

Cartoon:

Even though he’s a crispy critter, SCROTUS is still as bad or worse.

Trump* Virus Update:

0329TrumpVirus

Cases: 123,828
Deaths: 2,229
Recovered: 3,238

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Dr. Anthony Fauci spent several hours on Saturday gently explaining to Donald J. Trump why it would be “a bad idea” to hold a giant parade to celebrate the great job the President is doing to combat covid-19, Dr. Fauci has confirmed.

Trump first raised the idea of a massive parade early Saturday morning, arguing that it would address the “biggest problem” created by the pandemic thus far: the lack of appreciation for his own efforts regarding it.

“A parade would put Jay Inslee and that woman in Michigan in their place,” Trump bitterly insisted.

As Trump began drawing up plans for a parade, a panicked Dr. Fauci interceded and tried to explain that such a celebration would be “much nicer” if held after the pandemic is over.

“Would I still be able to have tanks?” a crestfallen

Trump asked.

“Yes, you could have tanks,” Fauci replied.

Andy must be on a straight news kick. I’d be amazed, if this did not really happen. RESIST!!

From NY Times: At a White House briefing on the coronavirus on March 20, President Trump called the State Department the “Deep State Department.” Behind him, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, dropped his head and rubbed his forehead.

Some thought Dr. Fauci was slighting the president, leading to a vitriolic online reaction. On Twitter and Facebook, a post that falsely claimed he was part of a secret cabal who opposed Mr. Trump was soon shared thousands of times, reaching roughly 1.5 million people.

A week later, Dr. Fauci — the administration’s most outspoken advocate of emergency measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak — has become the target of an online conspiracy theory that he is mobilizing to undermine the president.

I’m shocked that Fauci has lasted this long. For our sake, I hope he is mobilizing to undermine criminal Fuhrer Trump, the Resident, NOT the President! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): White Bird- It’s A Beautiful Day –1968

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Samantha Bee from 3/25

Posted by TomCat at 10:42 am Politics

Mar 262020

It’s that time of week again, and here are three video clips from Sam’s show last night. Enjoy!!

COVID-19 Is the World’s Worst Coworker

Here in Portland, some workers are so desperate that out of work strippers are offering topless food delivery. I would get regular food delivery (without boobs), if my cancer allowed me to eat the food.

The Furries Are On to Something