Open Thread April 20 2025

 Posted by at 6:09 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 202025
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “L’Assedio di Corinto” by Rossini. This is the first opera Beverly Sills sang at the Met – and in fact we heard a recording of that debut on April 19th of 1975, exactly fifty years earlier. Fifty years. I wasn’t there, but I had heard Ms. Sills a few years earlier, at the Kennedy Center, in recital, on the tour, which was famous at the time, when she was so ill she requested no encores, but people demanded them anyway, unable to believe that anyone could sing like that but have something wrong with her voice. It wasn’t until she asked the audience in her own speaking voice to refrain from requesting encores that she was believed and her request respected. I have this opera on vinyl with her and also with Norman Treigle, who is not in this performance (Justino Diaz is.) But that’s OK – Shirley Verrett is in this performance but was not on the vinyl. The opera is not really about Corinth (which has been through some sieges) but about Missolonghi which was under siege in 1826 by Turkey. I’m pretty sure none of the main plot (about a love triangle, a domineering father, and mistaken identity) happened at either siege. or at any siege ever), but it’s Rossini, so it’s listenable, even without the shining stars of this production. Sigh. I remember some opera opera lovers and I used occasionally to refer to Sills as “Silverly Bells” – a Spoonerism, but it intended as a tribute to that voice. Now I’m feeling old. But it was worth it. Also yesterday, Wonkette reported that Barbara Lee has won her special election to be the Mayor of Oakland, CA. I don’t believe it’s been officially announced, but the numbers are clear. I can only compare what that will be like for Oakland to South Bend, IN, who had Mayor Pete for 8 years. I certainly hope they keep her in office as long as they legally can. Now, let’s help make Kasie Porter Governor of California, and I’ll think about forgiving Adam Schiff. And one more thing – At 1:00 AM EDT yesterday, the Supreme Court issued an opinion – and it was a good one. This video from the Contrarian is almost 45 minutes. But it took me less than 10 minutes before my jaw dropped. If you already know about it, fine, but if you don’t you need to.  Off to see Virgil now, will comment upon return.

And this in, of all places, Tennessee. And Dolly Parton wasn’t even there.

Colorado Public Radio published this on Good Friday, so I can share it on actual Easter. Nice not to be late, for once.

Wonkette doesn’t mention this, but I would like to point out, if you made phone calls or sent postcards or did anything at all to help keep the Supreme Court election in Wisconsin fair and prevent Republicans from getting the vote overturned in favor of the Republican candidate, give yourself a big pat on the back (just don’t break your arm.) Because you did this. Your work helped make it possible for the cOurt to rule this way. And this is an example of why I try to bring attention to special elections, recall elections, or any disputed or might-be-disputed, no matter where.

Founders

Dog

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Open Thread April 17 2025

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 172025
 

Yesterday, Senator Van Hollen (D-MD) was in my prayers all day.  He is in El Salvador to do everything he can to bring back his constituent, Kilmar Abrego Garcia. I have two D Senators, but I doubt whether either of them would do anything like that. They are hung up on “collegiality.” Senator Van Hollen did inspire me to send a single-sentence email to both my Senators, though: “So – what are you going to do when he starts disappearing people who are legally residing in Colorado?” I do hope the Senator is safe himself – that is far from guaranteed. Speaking as a white person, I wish we could bring back Ellis Island, or something like it and screen immigrants, not for tuberculosis, but for white supremacy. Not by asking them whether they are a white supremacist, but with a psych screen. Elon would never have made it through that. Just in case anyone thinks I am overreacting (I know, not likely), here’s a link with thought. Also yesterday, Judge Boasberg issued a ruling that there is cause to hold the Trump** Regime in criminal contempt, and gave them a week to come clean (turn over all information he has requested.) HuffPost has the story.

This all along is what has worried and frightened me the most. And here we are. I may be wrong, but I don’t think Marcie at Wonkette is a lawyer, so I’m also posting the same story as explained by Joyce Vance, who is a lawyer, and not just a lawyer, a former DOJ prosecutor.

Nobody says it better or clearer than Joyce Vance. She doesn’t sugar coat it, and I certainly don’t want to either. And I am about out of words of my own at this point.

May as well add Heather Cox Richardson to the chorus. I really do not think there is any way to over-report this.

John Pavlovitz weighs in also. I think this can be called a righteous rant.

Had I found this in time, I would have used it Tuesday. But it wasn’t posted until late enough Tuesday that I had already scheduled Wednesday.Here it is now.

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Open Thread April 12 2025

 Posted by at 6:08 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 122025
 

On this date in 1945, we lost President Roosevelt. But, in spite of having to preside over a World War (which our side won, and I’m not sure we could have done so without him), he pushed for and got legislation which set us up for national prosperity which lasted 80 years. And which it has taken less than three months to trash.

I think I accidentally deleted the Open Thread for Friday.  And I have no backup.  So sorry.  If you had commented, that will also be gone.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/supreme-court-alien-enemies-act_n_67f56408e4b046bb946e0242
The Supreme Court has made several decisions regarding immigration and deportation. including good, bad, and indifferent. The net effect is not all that good. HuffPost explains.

https://www.theroot.com/michelle-obama-has-an-answer-for-those-who-think-her-ma-1851775610
If you are not on social media, and don’t follow black news outlets, you may not even be aware of the rumors. I was aware of them and was also pretty sure they were BS. But then, I have lived through a lot of the same kinds of interactions she has, so I know the territory. The little video in the middle is pretty short and really part of the article so I recommend not skipping it (and yes, the fact that I watched it does mean that The Root has stopped disappearing mid-read for me. Yay!)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220226632
Be sure to at least scan the comments on the Democratic Underground post. I checked the link to Snopes, but feel free – it is a good solid link. Yes, this is what ICE is doing.

Belle Debit Card

Cat

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Open Thread April 9 2025

 Posted by at 5:57 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 092025
 

Yesterday, a Federal judge reinstated AP to the White House Press Corps. Of course the Regime will appeal. You can find the full opinion at Axios (and probably elsewhere.)

This is Harry Litman‘s detailed discussion of the Supremes vacating Judge Boasberg’s order to get Mr. Garcia back from El Salvador yesterday (actually I believe it was two days ago now, but I’m referencing he expression “I want this done yesterday.”) It was a 5-4 verdict, and it caught my eye that it was a men against women split. And there were some caustic remarks in the dissenting opinions, as there should be when a literal group of dicks does something this despicable.

Pro Publica is also up in arms about civil right and DHS abuses thereof – as it should be. I mean, yes, I’m worried from month to month whether I will receive my Social Security funds, but I’m far more worried about people losing their civil rights – which could happen to anyone, any time, and while there may be recourse, recourse is always time consuming. People can and do die waiting.

Steve Schmidt referred his subscribers to this open letter from a Canadian to Americans (of good will – because that’s the only kind who can read it without their heads exploding [which actually reminds me of an old Burma Shave sign verse – yes, I’m that old.) It’s hardly flaming news, but it is something I don’t think most readers here would see without being pointed to it. And I found it inspiring. Elbows up!

Belle Elon

Dog

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Open Thread December 28 2024

 Posted by at 6:06 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Dec 282024
 

Yesterday was another day I didn’t do much. I enjoy being idle, but I’d also like to get more done. Oh well, if I don’t, then I’m the one who has to live with it.

Robert Reich – the reich on the left – is right. How right is he? So right that I feel the need to emphasize it by meming a quote from it for today’s cartoon.

Christmas Eve is past, but, as Joyce Vance points out, this is too important to ignore. I suspect some (not here, but elsewhere) may be thinking that at least he’s turning his crazy on someone besides us. But at a veteran, I have to point our that out military IS us – and when you include the families and colleagues and friends in whose circles veterans, active duty military, and those now considering enlisting live, that involves a lot of us.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 16: Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich testifies before the Joint Economic Committee January 16, 2014 in Washington, DC. Reich joined a panel testifying on the topic of “Income Inequality in the United States.Ó (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Open Thread August 5 2024

 Posted by at 6:10 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 052024
 

Yesterday, I went to the mailbox and picked up the note from Paul Whelan. The note I sent was dated December 15, 2022. He received it, or at least wrote a response May 8, 2023. The envelope has Russian stamps and postmarks with a postmark date of June 19, 2024. it was a lovely note. I had mentioned Virgil was incarcerated and he included “please do pass along my regards to your husband.” And just about then Virgil called, so I passed along his regards right away.

Pretty sure this means the entire State Department is also on the same page. I realize many feel this is way too late. But a nation cannot just desert an ally without warning – and particularly if there is a treaty, which under the Constitution is the law of the land. He has hated this from Day One. But he goes by the book because the country comes first.

This was written Saturday, but I didn’t see it until Sunday. So Friday, August 2, was the date Chutkan received the case back. No, she isn’t wasting any time.

Dog

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Open Thread August 2 2024

 Posted by at 6:12 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 022024
 

Yesterday, I was schedued to get a maintenance visit from the exterminator. But his wife went into labor, so they postponed it until Tuesday. Well, that will give me time to see whether I can find a pair of baby booties. I almost certainly can. But in case I can’t, I know I can find a sweater.Also, I replaced the pads on the bottom of my mouse, which works just fine but has been driving me nuts with the way it moves over the desk.  I knew there was a reason I had been saving those scraps of fuzzy Contact paper.  It works so smoothely and quietly now.  Oh, and the news was released that 3 prisoners of Russia are being released and returning to the US, and one of them is Paul Whelan!  Did you write to him when his brother asked people to do so?  I did, and even printed some labels because I don’t expect even American to read my 79 year old writing with ease, let alone Russians.  I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy to be recycling something as I am recycling those which are left.

Tina Peters’s trial started this week. CPR posted an article on the back story of how she got here. She’s really creepy (a word I personally prefer to “weird,” because good weird exists – but good creepy does not).  Apparently the evidence will remove any lingering suspicion that her actions might have been impulsive.  I wonder how many like her there are in how many states.

I don’t often send you to Steve Schmidt these days, but this time he was the first (at least the first I have seen) to tie JD Vance to Himmler, and I find it convincing (and, of course, frightening.)  Himmler was almost certainly smarter.  But it’s not necessary to be smart to do monumental damage.

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Open Thread August 1 2024

 Posted by at 6:01 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 012024
 

Yesterday, my computer speaker died. Actually, it was a couple of days prior, but yesterday was when I actually went through the steps to learn whether some adjustmeny would fix it – and none wuuld. So I had to get out the new one I had planned to use on a newer computer and set it up. This one does work – good thing, since I will need it Saturday to stream that day’s opera. It’s possible that the old one still works – but it’s highly unlikely it will work on a newer computer. But it might work on an older one, and I do have several of those. Meanwhile, I’ll shop for another newer one.

This, dated Monday but more accurately from Tuesday (it may have reached Alaska and Hawaii while it was still Monday, but it was not still Monday anywhere in the lower 48 when sent) addresses SCOTUS (or SCROTUS if you prefer), its various issues, and what might be done and how it might get through. I am still no fan of term limits, so I made a little model.If this system has started with Reagan’s first term, it would have taken us until Biden’s pPresidency to win a slim majority under it – and thats assuming starting from scratch. If I go back to the actual composition of the court in 1980 and apply the concept (and assun that coonservative presidents never nominate liberals and vice versa), then by the end of Reagam’s term, and through Bush 1’s term, there qould have been 9 conseervative justices, and at the end the end of Trump**’s term we’d have exactly what we have now – 6 conservative and 3 liberal justices – just different faces..  Biden would be able to get that down to 5-4 and then o 4-5.  But after that the lomgest serving justices would be Clinton- appointed liberals, so there’s be no change in the court for a while.  (I didn’t take into considerations death, because it would likely not have been Scalia in that seat, and the same with Ginsburg.  I’m giving Ike credit for appointing liberal judges, because at least they would have been sane.

I assume you saw this news two days ago. But your source may not have included the audio with the departing Kevin Roberts admitting that he knows Donald Trump** is lying about not knowing about Project 2025 in order to fool Americans into voting for him.  (And at least one source now says he is not “stepping down” but “stepping over” – I find that believable.)

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