Open Thread – 7/29/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:28 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 292020

It’s another busy day here in the CatBox. WWWendy is coming to destink the sweaty TomCat, goop, and help with chores. Then I have to meet with the building manager to renew my lease, an hour of routine paperwork. Yesterday’s PET scan was as unpleasant as always, but it will be interesting to see the results a week from Friday. This is my only article today, but expect me back in the saddle tomorrow. Happy Heat Wave Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:18 (average 4:45). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

As much as he botches about China, that’s still where his stuff is made.

Trump* Virus Update:

0729TrumpVirusMap

Click here for interactive map.

US Cases: 4,500,102
US Deaths: 152,388
World Cases: 16,936,005
World Deaths: 664,401
Trump’s Share of World Deaths: 22.9%
US Share of World Population: 4.3%

Short Takes:

From OPB: Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday unveiled coronavirus testing-related metrics the state must meet before schools can reopen, and it became immediately evident that many of the state’s largest school districts will be online-only this fall.

Brown’s announcement was swiftly followed by news from school districts: Portland Public Schools will have online classes only until at least Nov. 5 for all grades. Beaverton School District will be conducting classes online until at least Nov. 13. Salem-Keizer, North Clackamas and Tigard-Tualatin districts will also start the year holding online classes with plans to stay remote until at least late fall.

The list is likely to continue growing.

According to the latest county reopening guidelines announced by the governor, the entire state needs to have a weekly positivity rate of less than 5% for three weeks. The latest statewide positivity rates for COVID-19 tests for the previous three weeks were 5.8%, 5.8% and 4.6%.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero warned online classes could stretch past November for his district.

“As an educator, I know that there is no true replacement for face-to-face learning and the interaction between a student and a dedicated teacher or staff member,” Guerrero said in a statement. “But our announcement today is in keeping with our highest priority during a global pandemic, which is the health and well being of our students and employees.”

This is how Democrats manage education if the face of Trump’s* Republican plague. Kudos to Kate Brown! Oregon leads the way! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Dissembling, Defensiveness And Partisanship: AG Barr’s House Hearing

Lying Republican Nazi SOB! Barrf barfed! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday

Kudos to the protestors left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 7/28/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:20 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 282020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox, and this is my only article today. I’m going to the hospital for a PET scan. I’ll get the results on Friday 8/7. Tomorrow is a WWWendy day, and I have to renew my lease. It’s routine, but the paperwork takes over an hour. I should be back in the saddle on Thursday. Tomorrow or Thursday, musical blasts will return to protest music. Have a great day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:13 (average 4:49). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0728TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,434,185
US Deaths: 150,500
World Cases: 16,687,767
World Deaths: 657,451
Trump’s* Share of World Deaths: 22.9%
US Share of World Population: 4.3%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Casket carrying John Lewis arrives at the Capitol Rotunda

Because of him and Dr. King, non-violent freedom fighters are standing on the shoulders of giants! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): ‘Never, Ever Give Up Or Give In’: Remembering John Lewis As His Words Echo In The Capitol

Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch should not have been allowed to use Lewis’ memory for a photo-op, at the same time he still blocks all the legislation, which Lewis struggled to enact. Criminal Fuhrer Trump* opted not to attend, thank God! Why? He’s a damn racist Republican SOB! That’s why! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from civil rights): Get On Board, Children – Willie Peacock

Support Black Lives Matter! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread – 7/27/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:28 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 272020

It’s a steamy day here in the CatBox as the temperature is forecast over 100° today. Please expect no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread tomorrow and Wednesday. Tomorrow I have a PET scan at the hospital. Wednesday is a WWWendy day, and I have to renew my lease on my apartment here at the Madrona Studios. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:23 (average 5:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0727TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,373,561
US Deaths: 149,856
World Cases: 16,480,680
World Deaths: 653,292
Trump’s* Share of World Deaths: 22.9%

Short Takes:

From Willamette Week: Media outlets from the Los Angeles Times to the New York Post to London’s Daily Mail wrote about it. Movie director Adam McKay tweeted about his obsession with the image. Op-eds have appeared in The Washington Post and The New York Times criticizing the action as a product of light-skinned privilege. At least two copycat Athenas have arrived in the buff this week at a fence surrounding Portland’s federal courthouse.

And that’s all without anyone knowing the protester’s identity.

We now know—more than before, anyway.

The anonymous woman widely referred to as Naked Athena granted her first, and so far only, interview to the Portland-based podcast Unrefined Sophisticates.

In a two-hour conversation released yesterday, the protester, who identifies herself as “Jen,” divulges only a few pertinent biographical details. She is a sex worker. She’s in her 30s. And contrary to assumptions, she is not white but a non-Black person of color.

She says the decision to undress and confront the phalanx of officers happened on the spur of the moment but that being nude in public is nothing new to her: “I am notoriously naked,” she says. She describes the moments leading up to the altercation and what happened during the standoff—she reveals that her “yoga poses” were in part the result of being shot in the foot by a crowd control munition.

While WW has not been able to independently confirm that Jen is Naked Athena, the personal details she shares on the podcast match how friends of the protester described her to this newspaper.

You can listen to the podcast at Unrefined Sophisticates. Kudos to Jen, aka Naked Athena, who proved once and for all that the bush is mightier than the Republican Nazi storm trooper! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Rep. John Lewis’ Casket Travels Across The Historic Edmund Pettus Bridge One Last Time

I was 16 and on Spring vacation on 3/7/1965. I had travelled to Selma to demonstrate for civil rights at the beginning of the long march. Because I was young and dumb, I wanted to be in the front of the crowd, but people there, knowing what was going to happen, pulled me to the back and protected me. Along with the Democratic Convention in Chicago 1968, this was one of the two most frightening incidents of my life. Farewell to one of the heroic giants of our time! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from civil rights):

Support Black Lives Matter! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/25/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:04 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 252020

It’s a lazy day here in the CatBox. There is not much news that we have not already covered, so this is my only article today. Portland is entering an excessive heat waning with several days over 90° and Sunday and Monday over 100°. Tomorrow please expect no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread. Tomorrow WWWendy will be here to destink the sweaty TomCat, help with chores, and mega-goop. Have a great weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:06 (average 5:20). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

We got rid of Lyin’ Ryan, but there are many more to flush!

Trump* Virus Update:

0725TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,251,024
US Deaths: 148,529
World Cases: 15,998,009
World Deaths: 643,809
Trump’s* Share of World Deaths: 23.1%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): White House Hijacks CDC Guidelines For School Reopenings

The Republican Reich do not care how many families they murder in their attempts to make life appear normal for electoral purposes. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Trey Crowder Channel): Trae Crowder and Mark Agee on why the Right hates AOC so much – Evening Skews Clip

The Republican Reich hate AOC so much, because she tells the truth! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from civil rights): Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come (Official Lyric Video)

Support Black Lives Matter! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/24/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:14 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 242020

It’s another busy day here in the CatBox. My Providence home health doctor is coming this morning for her routine monthly visit. Other than back pain, it’s a pretty good day. TGIF!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:12 (average 5:14). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0724TrumpVirusMap

Click for interactive map

US Cases: 4,171,378
US Deaths: 147,364
World Cases: 15,715,850
World Deaths: 637,615
Trump’s* share of World Deaths: 23.1%

Short Takes:

From Alternet: If November brings the type of major blue wave that Democratic strategists are hoping for, it would include not only former Vice President Joe Biden defeating President Donald Trump, but also, Democrats achieving a majority in the U.S. Senate, increasing their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and enjoying victories in an abundance of state races. And the Cook Political Report is saying that according to its analysis, Democrats are now favored to retake the U.S. Senate.

Cook’s Jessica Taylor reports, “With just over 100 days until Election Day, the political climate appears dire for Republicans across the board. President Trump is the decided underdog against former Vice President Joe Biden in our Electoral College ratings, and Democrats could end up expanding their House majority. That leaves the Senate as Republicans’ firewall — the final barrier to unified control for Democrats in 2021.”

But that “firewall,” Taylor reports, could disappear because “as of now, Democrats are a slight favorite to win the Senate majority.”

A Republican pollster, quoted anonymously, told Cook, “Something remarkable would have to happen for Republicans to still have control of the Senate after November. It’s grim. There’s just so many places where Democrats either have the upper hand or are competitive in states that six months ago, we wouldn’t have considered at risk.” And a GOP strategist was equally pessimistic, telling Cook, “If you’re an incumbent in a bad environment sitting at 44%, you should be pretty damn scared. The expanding map has made it really hard, and there’s just a lot of Democratic momentum right now.”

From Cook’s projections to November results! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Portland mayor is tear-gassed alongside protesters

Portland is my home. The rare crowd violence has nothing to do with the demonstrators. There are a few right wing anarchists using the peaceful demonstrations as an excuse to act-out. Both the federal Nazi Republican gestapo and the unmuzzled Portland Police Bureau are ignoring the violent anarchists and attacking peaceful demonstrators and our mayor. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): Ryan Bingham “Direction of the Wind” (Madison, Wisconsin protests) (live performance music video)

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

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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!!

Open Thread–7/22/2020

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

Jul 222020

It’s a busy day here in the CatBox. I fought for an hour over sluggish response while typing, before I finally figured out the batteries in my keyboard were bad and changed them. I scheduled another Pet Scan for early next month. And I had to spend 45 minutes on the throne to vacate all the Republicans infesting me. Tomorrow, please expect no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread. WWWendy will be here. Woooo Hoooo!! We have lots to do. In addition, it’s a grocery delivery day. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:17 (average 4:29). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0722TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 4,030,200
US Deaths: 144,983
World Cases: 15,136,436
World Deaths: 620,502
Trump* Death Share: 23.4%

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Late Show Channel): Greta Thunberg: Humanity Is “Setting Fire To The Boat” Instead Of Facing The Climate Crisis

The first time I saw Greta, I called her an international hero. Each subsequent time, I become more convinced of that truth. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Parody Project Channel): SPREADIN’ THROUGH THE AIR

Amen Don! Here in the US, criminal Fuhrer Trump* murdered over 1,000 yesterday with his plague, Trump* virus. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from labor): Tom Morello. A Union Song

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

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–7/21/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:56 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jul 212020

It’s another hectic day here in the CatBox. I’m having a telephone visit with my nutritionist this morning, so that will kill my morning nap, and exacerbate my back pain. I guess they’re going to increase my Oxycodone instead of my Fentanyl patch strength. I disagree and will argue it at my next appointment. A patch gives constant pain relief, so increasing the strength lowers my overall pain level. Oxycodone gives yo-yo pain relief, as it is taken only when the pain level has risen, so I suffer needless pain. Please check your outhouse for Republicans. If one is hiding down there, go.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:34 (average 5:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Clinton had Lewinski. Putin [R-RU] had Trump*.

Trump* Virus Update:

0721TrumpVirusMap

Click through for interactive map.

US Cases: 3,963,376
US Deaths: 143,889

Short Takes:

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Veteran discusses getting hit by unmarked police in Portland

Our veterans deserve honor, praise, and gratitude from our people and government, but from the Republican Reich and their Nazi Gestapo, our veterans get hate, neglect and violence! RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): GOP Tested As Democrats Call Out Foreign Interference In Election

This is what a President sounds like and acts like. May God grant that we have a President in January, instead of the criminal Fuhrer we have now. May God also grant that the Republican Reich go the way of the Whig Party. But God can’t do it alone. She needs help from YOU! RESIST!!

From YouTube ( a blast from the past and labor): Arlo Guthrie/Alice’s Restaurant

Ah… the memories! Except for unmuzzled Republican Nazi Police Unions, support Labor! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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