Open Thread – 1/8/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:40 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 082020

It’s a very tired day here in the CatBox. Last night was so muggy and humid that I kept waking up wet and itchy. I ate a small bowl of soup for lunch yesterday, a small bowl of chili (without the chili), rice and Brussels sprouts for supper, and a small bowl of cheerios this morning. I kept it all down with minimal discomfort. WWWendy comes tonight for some much needed destinking. Happy Hump day to all.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:43 (average 4:35). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Iran Retaliates, Fires Missiles At US Bases In Iraq

Iran could have employed much more accurate missiles in their inventory. This was a very measured response, designed for local propaganda, while stepping back from war. I hope that War Criminal Trump* lets it end here. I fear that he will not. Rachel is spot-on! RESIST!!

From TPM: Former Vice President Joe Biden said that he predicts Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may become “mildly cooperative” in a post-Trump era.

“I’m not suggesting all of a sudden everyone’s going to project a new sense of courage and political courage,” Biden said at a campaign event in New York. “What I’m suggesting [is] that the dynamic changes when the right vote, as opposed to the vote you don’t agree with, becomes a possibility if you vote for it.”

Biden has gotten in hot water with progressives before for his optimistic vision of a bipartisan future, though he tried to give his perspective more nuance in the most recent Democratic debate.

I think Biden’s eyes used to be blue. However, his belief that Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch will be anything but criminally uncooperative means Joe is so full of shit his eyes have turned brown. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Jefferson Airplane – Somebody to Love (Dick Cavett Show)

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/7/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:23 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 072020

It’s still a queasy day here in the CatBox, but I managed to keep a small bowl of soup down last night and six Ritz crackers with peanut butter this morning, so for now, I’m back in the saddle.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:09 (average 4:56). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Sadly, Monica has too much class to give Trump a BJ to get him convicted!

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is “completely baffled” as to why he appears to be the only dictator whom Donald J. Trump does not like, the autocrat said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran, the long-reigning tyrant expressed puzzlement and dismay that Trump had not given him the adulation that he has showered on seemingly every other totalitarian in the world.

“Trump loves Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman, and he’s even given Kim Jong Un a cute nickname, but, for some mysterious reason, I leave him cold,” the visibly saddened Ayatollah said. “I just don’t get it.”

Khamenei initially tried not to take Trump’s distaste for him personally, he said, “but when it became clear that he liked even second-tier strongmen like Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Turkey, and Rodrigo Duterte, of the Philippines, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt.”

I guess Andy is back to straight news. If I were Khamenei, my feelings would be hurt too. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Huge crowds turn out for Iranian general’s furneral [sic]

I bet that Resident Donald Trump*, aka Fuhrer Drumpfenfarten, has rat-holed this film away, planning to use it to claim these huge crowds turned-out for his inauguration! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Tommy James and the Shondells – Crystal Blue Persuasion

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/5/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:35 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 052020

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox, as WWWendy will be here in less than two hours. I couldn’t keep my supper down last night, but I did manage a small bowl of Cheerios this morning. Yesterday I meditated on the Holy Orb. Congrats Pat. Was that a comeback, or what? Kudos to Tennessee, for eliminating the team that licks Trump’s* sphincter!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:02 (average 4:53). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (CNN Channel): CNN legal analyst: We’re just now seeing how big the Ukraine cover up is

Doesn’t this make it plain to see why Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch is so anxious to prevent witness testimony at the sham trial he plans to protect his Fuhrer, Trump*? RESIST!!

From BBC: President Trump has warned the US is “targeting” 52 Iranian sites and will strike “very fast and very hard” if Tehran attacks Americans or US assets.

The president’s remarks followed the US assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, in a drone strike.

Soleimani’s killing was a major escalation between the two nations, and Iran vowed to take “severe revenge”.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Trump accused Iran of “talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets”.

He said the US had identified 52 Iranian sites, some “at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture”, and warned they would be “HIT VERY FAST AND HARD” if Tehran struck at the US.

The president said the targets represented 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran for more than a year from late 1979 after they were taken from the US embassy in Tehran.

I understand Fuhrer Trump also said some were cultural sites, indicating his intent to attack civilians, while Iran stated that their retaliation would be against military targets. Trump and the Republican Reich are now threatening the war crime of military terrorism against women and children. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Jefferson Starship – White Rabbit – 11/8/1975 – Winterland (Official)

Is this long instrumental cool, or what? Ah… the memories!! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/4/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:58 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 042020

It’s a tired Saturday here in the CatBox. I had a kink in my back last night that was so severe, that I finally gave up at around 2:00 AM and took an Oxycodone. The Republican war to retain power still dominates the news, and since I covered that yesterday, this is my only article today. Today and tomorrow are Holy Days in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb, the Festival of Cards Gone Wild. Good luck, Pat! Tomorrow is also a WWWendy day to de-stink the rancid TomCat. We have lots of chores to do do, so please expect no more than a Personal Update from me. Have a peaceful weekend.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:03 (average 5:11). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: The reasons that Donald Trump would need a massive distraction at this point are numerous. Every day seems to produce fresh evidence that the White House was fully aware that Trump’s delay of military assistance to Ukraine was simply against the law, and that multiple officials engaged in a criminal conspiracy to cover up for Trump and retroactively create an excuse for an inexcusable act. Somewhere right now, Mitch McConnell is probably drafting a statement claiming that the Senate could not possibly consider an impeachment trial “during a time of war.”

But onto that stack of dog-wagging rationales add this one: According to Forensic News, Trump’s loans from Deutsche Bank were underwritten by a Russian state-owned bank. That news reportedly comes from a whistleblower with access to documents from both Deutsche Bank and Russia’s state-owned VTB Bank. VTB Bank was also the proposed lender on the never-completed Trump Tower Moscow project.

The question of why Deutsche Bank would extend a series of huge loans to Trump has been dangling since before he ever announced his candidacy for president on a golden escalator ride. When Trump first went to Deutsche Bank, he was worse than broke. He had just finished bankrupting multiple casinos in New Jersey, and then had convinced investors to back a takeover of those casinos at a fraction of the original value. Then Trump deliberately allowed the investment group to go bankrupt so he could grab the whole deal himself at a fraction of what his investors had paid. Then he went bankrupt. Again. And along the way he was socked with a massive fine for money laundering at his now bankrupt (again) casino.

Trump was so fiscally radioactive that no American bank would let him in the door. But Deutsche Bank turned around and gifted Trump with loans that gave him a fresh start and an apparently miracle turnaround of his New York real estate empire. Those loans have always been the subject of head-scratching over just what Deutsche Bank could have been thinking. But if Forensic News is right, what Deutsche Bank was thinking was that it wasn’t risking a damn thing, because the Russian government was actually vouching for Trump through VTB Bank. If Trump didn’t come through, Vladimir Putin was offering to make it good.

As I have said for over a year, Trump* is Putin’s Pet Pervert! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Erin Burnett calls Trump’s 2011 video about Obama and Iran ‘unbelievable’

Is that projection or what? To be fair, if the Reich can show evidence that the “immanent threat” they claim is real, and that assassinating a leader of one sovereign nation in the territory of another sovereign nation can ameliorate that threat, I’ll be the first to say I am wrong. In the interim, the Republican track record for lying us into three wars, and the Trump* track record for lying about virtually everything, demand disbelief of every claim they make without proof. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Doors – Riders on the Storm (Official Audio)

I can’t stand the words to this song, but the music is incredible. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/3/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:55 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 032020

It’s a queasy day here in the CatBox, and I had trouble finding material, because the Republican war to retain power (see lead article) is dominating the news. TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 4:36). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Drill Baby Dingbat, aka Bloody Bullseye Barbie, put a bullseye in Gabby Giffords campaign headquarters inspiring a Republican Ammosexual terrorist to shoot her and 18 others, killing 6.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): New Unredacted Emails Contain ‘Clear Direction From POTUS To Hold: Report

It sounds to me like it may be time for another Article of Impeachment against Fuhrer Trump* and criminal charges against the other Republicans involved. RESIST!!

From Common Dreams: Reproductive rights advocates on Thursday seized on an amicus brief signed by more than 200 members of Congress, including two conservative Democrats, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe vs. Wade as the latest example of the assault on women’s freedom.

The brief was signed by 168 members of the House and 39 senators. Two House Democrats joined their Republican colleagues, led by House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) in the effort—Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.).

Lipinski drew the ire of progressive Democrat Marie Newman, who is challenging him in the 2020 primary.

“His position in Congress jeopardizes the health of women in IL-03 and across the country,” Newman tweeted. “My opponent does not trust women and is not fit to represent us.”

I trust I speak for all of us at Politics Plus in endorsing Marie Newmann and any progressive challenging Collin Peterson in the primary. Damn DINOs! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): White Room

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/2/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:50 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 022020

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox, and it’s a very slow day for news, so this is today’s only article from me. I see the thoracic surgeon in two weeks, so I’ll know more about my cancer then. I hope that your your week is Republican free.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:09 (average 5:39). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Full Frontal Channel): Full Frontal Rewind: How We Destroyed Health Care

Didn’t Sam do a great job with this? American health care is screwed for three identical reasons: the Republican Reich! RESIST!!

From CNN: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested immunity from prosecution in three corruption cases in which he faces indictment on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Netanyahu submitted the request to the Knesset late Wednesday night, saying he plans on leading the country “for many years to come.”

“What is being done to me is a field court-martial by misleading the public,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement Wednesday evening in Jerusalem. “The immunity law is intended to protect elected officials from fabricated legal proceedings — from political indictment intended to damage the will of the people. This law intends to ensure that those elected can serve the people according to the will of the people, not the will of the law clerks.”

Charges against Netanyahu were unveiled in November. He’s maintained his innocence throughout the ongoing criminal proceedings, calling them an “attempted coup” led by the left and the media.

Butcher Bibi should share a cell with his beloved idol, from whom he has learned so well to dodge the consequences of his crimes. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Byrds – Eight Miles High – 9/23/1970 – Fillmore East (Official)

I had left NYC and the Lower East Side by then, but I loved the Byrds, I loved this instrumental version, and I loved Fillmore East. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 1/1/2020

Posted by TomCat at 7:22 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 012020

It’s a nauseous day here at the CatBox. It’s also a WWWendy day, so I’ll just get my work done as quickly as I can. May 2020 be a better year for us all.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 5:27 (average 5:38). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Poll:

I apologize for leaving the old poll up so long. I conceived it poorly and became tied up in medical mayhem, so I never got around to replacing it, as I should have long ago. I have replaced it now, and if anyone wishes to view the results and comments from the old poll, click here.

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Why I’m Still Hopeful About America with Robert Reich

I know I always say the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right. However, I’m not confident this time. The Reich on the right, the Republican Reich, has done more damage to the US and the world than it ever has, is more evil that it has ever been, and has more power to rig elections than ever before. Nevertheless… never give up! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Protests continue at US embassy in Baghdad

It appears that Trump* and the Republican Reich are trying to start a war to distract attention from the many crimes that surround them at home. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): You Keep Me Hangin’ On

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/31/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:02 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 312019

It’s New Year’s Eve here in the CatBox, and this is my my only article today. It’s a slow news day, and I’m tired. Tonight can be dangerous with drunken Republicans on the roads. If you can, stay home. If not, stay safe.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:13 (average 5:59). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): How Citizens United Got Us Trump with Robert Reich

Of course the Reich on the Left, Robert Reich, is right. The Reich on the right, the Republican Reich, has become an alliance of greedy billionaires, who have sold us out to purveyors of hatred and lies to motivate their deplorable base. Dump the Republican Reich forever! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Joe Biden pitches unexpected running mate

Considering all the crimes that the Republican Reich have committed against the American people, can Democrats even consider nominating a man, who would consider a Republican VP? If he won, Ammosexual Republicans would flock from all over the country to punctuate Biden’s death warrant and criminally install a Republican in the White House again! How foolish can he get? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Beach Boys-In My Room

Another favorite of mine from high school. Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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