Monday, some things happened after I scheduled the post, and what with the computer, I didn’t get them in to yesterday’s post. Probably the main thing is that Governor Polis has imposed a two-week moratorium on prison visiting. That is sad, but also good. Safety is the most important thing at this point. Also, I have a prescription to pick up which I ordered delivered. The original order disappeared, and I had to call, and that detail got missed. I’d get help picking it up, but they’re close and have a sealed drive-up window. So yesterday I donned an N95 and gloves and picked it up at the window. And I also heard from WWWendy WW. She is still involved in settling TC’s estate (no surprise to anyone who has ever dealt with an estate, I’m sure). But she has also experienced the death of another very close friend. I am still having trouble with the computer, to the point where the video thread will be short today. I’m pretty sure my modem is obsolete and I will need a new one, but before I could get to CenturyLink on the phone, it was too late for a human being. So, today.

Cartoon –

Short Takes

Ordinarily I would put this on the video thread … but it really needs a full transcript (which is available on the YouTube version and needed very little correction.)

This is Melanie Moore. From Georgia. The mother of a third-grader and a fourth-grader.

Please watch…pic.twitter.com/a2opMGmntj

— Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) January 2, 2022

Transcript – uh good evening board members my name is melanie moore i am the parent of a third and fourth grader in district two and i’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with you this evening the issue i would like to address is the need for equitable education in all areas but first i’d like to share a little something personal i struggle with depression i have for many years i’ve gone to counselors throughout the years and one of the first things they ask me is tell me about your family of origin tell me about your past what happened to you in your past that is causing the current trauma and pain that you’re feeling in the same way our country cannot begin to heal until we deal with the pain trauma and hurt from our past we must teach our children the truth about the past and then show them how to be the change we wish to see in the world we can help them connect the dots from the awful events of the past to the current issues that face our country so that real change can happen as members of the white community we have got to stop pushing the agenda that diversity and truth and education is all about indoctrination shaming or placing guilt at the feet of white people no one is asking you to get up and place your head on the chopping block for the wrongs of the past people are simply asking for their stories to be heard and taught as ours have been for generations i would not allow my children to wallow in anger pain and self-pity i would do all i could to help them to be the very best versions of themselves even if it hurts to point out some painful truths about their behavior in the same way we have got to be honest with ourselves and admit that systemic racism is real that this country was created and prospered under the ideals of white supremacy and that we are responsible for righting the wrongs of our forefathers we did not create this mess but we are the ones that have to clean it up starting with honest equitable education practices now that will teach our children the hard truths about our past so that they can create a better future i understand that change is hard but it’s got to come racism is alive and well in this country it’s seen in the groups of white men with torches chanting you will not replace us to the fact that in 2021 we still don’t have a federal anti-lynching hate crime law we need to know better and then we need to do better happy pride happy early
You can click through to the tweet, or to the YouTube video, but it’s really all here Feel free to share wherever you think it will do come good.

Mother Jones – Chuck Schumer Just Announced a Major Potential Vote on the Future of the Filibuster
Quote – Schumer made his announcement three days before the first anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot. In his letter, Schumer drew comparisons between the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol and Republican officials who have seized on Trump’s election lies to enact anti-democratic legislation across the country.
Click through for details. He knows what’s at stake. Wish him all strength and best luck in getting it through.

Crooks and Liars – Trump Abruptly Cancels January 6 Press Conference
Quote – Among other things, several advisors – formal and informal – told him the press conference was a mistake and/but it was becoming clear he wasn’t likely to get the live TV coverage he was hoping for. — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 4, 2022
Click through. Looks like Amato won.

Food For Thought:


Oh, and one last thing –

Yesterday, I had some computer-internet issues. I got things done, just very s – l – o – w – l – y. I’m very glad this didn’t turn up a few days ago.

Cartoon –

Short Takes

Letters from an American – January 2, 2022
Quote – The New York Times editorial board—which consists of opinion journalists who weigh in on important issues—warned that the attack on democracy we witnessed so traumatically on January 6 has not ended. It persists in ongoing threats to election officials, threats to murder opponents, and new state laws skewing elections toward Republicans. “In short,” they wrote, “the Republic faces an existential threat from a movement that is openly contemptuous of democracy and has shown that it is willing to use violence to achieve its ends.”
Click through for full essay. This might be worth hanging on to for reference.

Crooks and Liars – Media Matters Prez: Talk Radio As GOP Disinformation Engine
Quote – “And they continue to run with that story that vaccines were part of a plot and a conspiracy by Dr. Fauci and Bill Gates in order to put microchips in people, or there is a very, very prominent conspiracy theory that it’s actually – the vaccine is designed to open up an interdimensional portal.”
Click through – Carusone is a hero, listening to right wing talk radio so that we don’t have to. We need to take him seriously.

Wonkette – Kevin McCarthy Furious Democrats Doing So Little To Protect Capitol From Republican Trump Insurgents
Quote – “Unfortunately, one year later, the majority party seems no closer to answering the central question of how the Capitol was left so unprepared and what must be done to ensure it never happens again.” Wait, was THAT the “central question”? Why the Capitol was so unprepared and vulnerable? Was the Capitol walking by itself very late at night? Was it wearing a short skirt? And why, praytell, is the Capitol hitting itself? Tell us more, Kevin McCarthy, about how the “central question” of what happened that day was how the Capitol was so unprepared to be attacked by hordes of Donald Trump’s terrorists.
Click through. I swear you cannot make this stuff up.

Food For Thought: