Open Thread – 11/18/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:21 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 182020

It’s a busy day here in the Cat Box, as I expect Molly to arrive before I finish this. That means I miss my morning nap and get a pain increase. When Molly is here, I’ll have to ask her what Lona is like in person. [later: Molly says Lona is at least 80% nice and 10% feisty.] Happy Hump Day to all!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:46 (average 6:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Breakfast in the CatBox:

I’ll post an occasional pic so you can see how I’m eating with the stent.

1118Breakfast

Short Takes:

From Common Dreams (Hat-Tip Mitch [ours: not BBMMM]): Taking cues from former Presidents Gerald Ford and Barack Obama—who pardoned or ignored their predecessors’ crimes in the name of national unity and healing—President-elect Joe Biden has privately signaled to advisers that he is unlikely to pursue federal investigations of the Trump administration’s policies and actions, NBC News reported Tuesday.

According to the report, the president-elect has expressed concerns that investigating President Donald Trump or holding members of his administration accountable for wrongdoing would further divide a nation already deeply riven by political tensions, and that focusing on Trump would distract Biden from his forward-looking agenda.

Biden is said to be especially wary of probing Trump’s taxes or trying to undo any immunity the president may grant to his associates during his final weeks in office.

Put simply, one adviser said Biden “just wants to move on.”

“He’s going to be more oriented toward fixing the problems and moving forward than prosecuting them,” another Biden confidant told NBC News.

I do agree that Biden should be more oriented toward “fixing the problems and moving forward”. However, part of fixing the problem is appointing an AG who will do his/her job and prosecute the people responsible for worst crime wave by public officials in our nation’s history. Failure to do so guarantees that we will be moving backward, not forward! RESIST!!

From Alternet: Jesse Barrett, husband of newly confirmed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, recently said he will continue private practice despite the ethical concerns that may arise due to his wife’s new position.

On the SouthBake Legal website, there is a congratulatory statement to the new Supreme Court justice. It also details what Jesse Barrett’s near future holds.

“SouthBank Legal enthusiastically congratulates Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett on her confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States,” the statement began.

The statement, which commended Jesse Barrett for his work, also suggested that he will continue private practice.

It later added, “SouthBank Legal also congratulates Justice Barrett’s family, in particular her husband, Jesse. Since joining SouthBank Legal two years ago, Jesse has broadened the firm’s commercial litigation expertise, while building an impressive white-collar defense practice. Like Justice Barrett, Jesse has top-shelf legal ability, a relentless work ethic, and a resolute commitment to his professional obligations. About his practice, Jesse commented, ‘I look forward to continuing to help grow and lead SouthBank Legal’s litigation-related practice groups and serve our clients.'”

Injustice Amy Coney Bullshit ought to recuse in any case the firm of her husband, lord, and master participates, as her pseudo-Catholic cult believes she must decide as he orders. I don’t think she will. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Robert Reich Channel): Georgia Runoffs: How You Can Help Flip the Senate

Of course the Reich on the left, Robert Reich, is right. Both Loffler and Perdue typify the Reich on the right, the Republican Reich. Both govern for personal gain. Both are racist to a Republican extent. I fully agree with Robert’s suggestions! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): We Stand With You

This is a perfect example of how we must all stand together for social justice. RESIST!!

62 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/12/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:13 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 122020

It’s another Crazy day here in the CatBox. Store to Door is coming to deliver groceries, and I need to put them away. I last texted Nameless yesterday mid day. He was back on BIPAP. I don’t want to disturb his rest, but if I have not heard from him by suppertime, I’ll text him. I hope you all have a great day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:59 (average 4:25). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

That could be either the ear or the brain.

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: By Monday, Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election had been confirmed by every major media outlet, including Fox News, been welcomed by every leader of the G7 along with dozens of other foreign officials, and been celebrated in the streets of every major American city. As it turns out, all those plywood panels nailed up over windows were only there to shield sensitive eyes from just too much dancing.

When it comes to Republicans, the chorus of accolades falls away to more of a barbershop quartet … minus one. Former president George W. Bush spoke up to express his acceptance of Biden’s victory and offer the traditional best wishes for the coming term. Sen. Mitt Romney has sent along his best wishes, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski—keen to make everyone forget how she flip-flop-flipped on Amy Coney Barrett—decided to acknowledge reality. And that is about it.

But if the reaction of the Republicans over the weekend might be best described as crickets, it now seems that many of them have rediscovered their voices. And they’re using them to take up the cause of destroying democracy.

Were we expecting anything else? The only reason Crawford Caligula has taken exception is that Trump’s* political demise ensures Bush’s ability to relinquish the title “worst in US History”. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: The world is better off without people like Irvin Baxter Jr in it. A hate-mongering homophobe that, like the rest of these televangelists, had become enormously wealthy peddling poison.

Source: Pinknews

Reverend Baxter, founder of Endtime Ministries and host of End of the Age on Christian TV network Trinity Broadcasting Network, died aged 75 on Tuesday (3 November), the network said.

Now we know that for Republican pseudo-Christian (the opposite of REAL Christian) perverts, Trump* Virus is an STD! RESIST!!

From NY Times: President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s transition team is preparing multiple sets of policy proposals for the economy, health care, climate change and other domestic issues, including the ambitious agenda Mr. Biden laid out in his winning campaign, while acknowledging it may have to be pared back in recognition of divided government.

Where the incoming administration lands depends heavily on two Senate runoffs in Georgia in early January.

If Democrats win both races, close aides to Mr. Biden and economists who helped advise his campaign say the president-elect will try to push through a large stimulus plan for the flagging economic recovery — most likely along the lines of the $2.2 trillion that House Democrats approved this fall. His stimulus plan under such a scenario would include hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments that have lost tax revenue amid the pandemic recession, extended unemployment benefits for people who lost jobs during the crisis and a new round of aid for small businesses.

His team is also developing a government employment program — called the Public Health Jobs Corps — that would put 100,000 Americans to work on virus testing and contact tracing.

A narrow majority in the Senate would also give Mr. Biden the chance to push through his proposed tax increases on corporations and the rich — tax hikes that would be used to fund the president-elect’s more ambitious plans like rebuilding roads and bridges, speeding the transition to a carbon-free energy sector and helping Americans afford health care.

But if Republicans win even one of the Georgia seats, Mr. Biden will most likely need to settle for a wave of executive actions that would bring more incremental progress toward his policy goals, while trying to cut compromise deals with Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader.

This is why Democratic wins in BOTH races is critically important for America’s future! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Beatles – Revolution

While the overwhelming majority of violence and destruction is perpetrated by Republicans, I reject the tiny bit that comes from the left say they are not welcome in my revolution! This tune could not be more appropriate. RESIST!!

68 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 11/9/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:37 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 092020

It’s another tired day here in the CatBox. I slept so much the night before last and yesterday that I could not sleep last night. Tomorrow morning Molly, my physical therapist, is coming back, and what I get done here depends on how long that takes. Since Trump* is headed for the drain, Woooo Hoooo it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 4:23). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Religious Agony:

OK, Turd Birds. You got the win. Now put Ossoff and Warnock in the US Senate. That’s the deal!

Short Takes:

From BBC: The first effective coronavirus vaccine can prevent more than 90% of people from getting Covid-19, a preliminary analysis shows.

The developers – Pfizer and BioNTech – described it as a “great day for science and humanity”.

Their vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised.

The companies plan to apply for emergency approval to use the vaccine by the end of the month.

A vaccine – alongside better treatments – is seen as the best way of getting out of the restrictions that have been imposed on all our lives.

There are around a dozen in the final stages of testing – known as a phase 3 trial – but this is the first to show any results.

It uses a completely experimental approach – that involves injecting part of the virus’s genetic code – in order to train the immune system.

I’m glad to see that Pfizer could get it up. However We’re probably at least a year before they can get it out into widespread distribution. But the biggest step toward getting control of the Trump* Virus plague is getting rid of Trump*. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: As the 2020 presidential votes are being counted, Georgia has two Senate races headed to a runoff election on Jan. 5, 2021. Nothing less than the majority of the United States Senate is on the line. Jon Ossoff wasted no time kicking off his reenergized campaign as Democrats seem to have some wind at their back in the Peach State.

Go Jon, go! Here at PP, we have a secret weapon to unleash on David “Donnie’s Pet” Perdue. Freya, give him a Saguaro Suppository! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of freedom): Elected

There’s a 70s song that still works! Celebrate!! RESIST!!

71 Days Until the FLUSH!!

Open Thread – 8/12/2020

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

Aug 122020

It’s a relatively comfortable day, here in the CatBox with two days in the 70°s, before the next heat wave builds to a 100°+ weekend. WWWendy and WWKristin returned safely and happy, albeit sunburned. They return your greetings and kind wishes. Tomorrow I may have no more than as Personal Update or an Open Thread. It’s a WWWendy day, but I won’t know when she’s coming until after she gets her work schedule later today. It’s also a grocery delivery day. Happy Hump Day to all!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:04 (average 5:15). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0812TrumpVirusMap

US Cases: 5,309,622
US Deaths: 167,789

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In a rare instance of praising one of his White House predecessors, Donald J. Trump on Tuesday hailed Woodrow Wilson for opposing efforts to institute online learning during the 1918 pandemic.

“There were a lot of crybabies in 1918 saying, ‘The schools aren’t safe—let the kids learn on their computers,’ ” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Woody wouldn’t hear of it.”

Instead, Trump said, “Kids went to school and the influenza just kind of disappeared eventually. Woody did a fantastic job.”

Dang, Andy! Are you sure he didn’t praise Wilson because of his overt racism and KKK support? RESIST!!

From Alternet: Remember when political reporters crowed about what a masterful play Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had made when he lined up his caucus to acquit Donald Trump without hearing from a single witness? Yeah, that acquittal came on February 6 when U.S. senators were already getting briefed on the seriousness of the coronavirus’ spread abroad.

But Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, fell all over themselves to make sure Trump was at the helm when the pandemic hit U.S. shores. Now, what once looked like a promising cycle for Senate Republicans has turned entirely treacherous precisely because the caucus is saddled with Trump as their standard bearer.

Politico reports the party is directing nearly its entire $100 million war chest at saving the seats of eight incumbent senators while the few GOP candidates aiming to defeat a Democrat have been left almost entirely to their own devices. With the exception of funneling a little money into the effort to defeat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama, they simply don’t have the resources to play offense.

The seat of Democratic Sen. Gary Peters from Michigan, for instance, once seemed like a flippable seat. But as Trump has tanked in the state and Joe Biden is presently positioned very well there, Senate Republicans have left Republican candidate John James to fend for himself.

Instead, GOP groups, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund have been trying to bolster their defenses in Georgia, Iowa, and Montana—three states that weren’t even on the radar as potential Democratic pick ups when the cycle started.

I wonder how much of that money is going to help Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch. This shows how desperate the Republican Reich has become. May all their efforts fail! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast of protest): Noodle Muffin’s “Morning in America” Music Video

Under Trump*, we are mourning in America! Kudos to left-wing protestors! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Russia Intervenes for Trump*!

Posted by TomCat at 10:37 am Politics

Aug 082020

It’s official. Criminal Fuhrer Trump* and Vladimir Putin [R-RU] are teaming-up in an attempt to steal the 2020 election the way they did in 2016. Republican Senators have joined the effort.

Russia is using a range of techniques to denigrate Joseph R. Biden Jr., American intelligence officials said Friday in their first public assessment that Moscow continues to try to interfere in the 2020 campaign to help President Trump.

At the same time, the officials said China preferred that Mr. Trump be defeated in November and was weighing whether to take more aggressive action in the election.

But officials briefed on the intelligence said that Russia was the far graver, and more immediate, threat. While China seeks to gain influence in American politics, its leaders have not yet decided to wade directly into the presidential contest, however much they may dislike Mr. Trump, the officials said.

The assessment, included in a statement released by William R. Evanina, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, suggested the intelligence community was treading carefully, reflecting the political heat generated by previous findings…. [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

Rep. Schiff on MSNBC: Trump Puts Friendship with Putin Over National Security

As long as criminal Fuhrer Trump*, aka Putin’s Piddle Pervert, fears the release of the pee-pee tapes, Daddy Vladdy [R-RU] will do all he can to keep his bitch* (apologies to female dawgs) in power.

Here’s coverage of the Senators, who are betraying America!

…Meanwhile, Senate Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee are holding hearings in an attempt to substantiate this charge — or, more realistically, to insinuate it. They have produced no evidence to advance their charge. The Russians have given Republicans stolen tapes of secret conversations Biden held with Ukrainians during his tenure as vice-president, and pro-Trump media outlets have hyped up the material, but nothing they have is inconsistent with the narrative that mainstream news organizations found. Biden was working to clean up Ukraine.

Senate Republicans tried to be cagey about their activities. After pro-Russian Ukrainians said they’d passed materials on to Republican officials, a Johnson staffer told NBC News in July that it was “‘false’ the committee has received any ‘oppo,’ or opposition research, without responding directly to whether that covers any materials from foreign sources.”

The Washington Post reported that Homeland Security Committee chairman Ron Johnson received secret documents from Ukrainians. And former Giuliani associate Lev Parnas has confessed to putting Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee and perhaps Trump’s most energetic defender on all things Russia, in touch with one of the Ukrainians releasing documents in the United States.

There is hardly any secret to what they’re up to. Johnson says he plans to release his report on Biden in September. It hardly matters if the information Russia gives him actually substantiates his allegations, or even whether it is authentic. The obvious plan is to splash some headlines into news screens in the heat of the campaign that seem to connect Biden to some kind of wrongdoing.

In reality, it is not a scandal about Biden at all. It’s a scandal about Republican cooperation with a Russian propaganda campaign…. [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Mag Intelligencer>

Russian Election Interference Finds Ready Conduit In GOP Senators

Russia Ron and Snake in the Grassley would not be doing this without the full knowledge and support of Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch.

RESIST!!

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–6/25/2020

Posted by TomCat at 11:54 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jun 252020

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox. Store to Door will be delivering groceries, and I have to put them away. Tomorrow, please expect no more than a Personal Update or an Open Thread. I have a doctor coming from Providence Medical Group at Home. What I can publish depends on how long she is here. How many Republicans does it take to screw in a light bulb? The answer is ∞. Republicans want to keep you (and their idiot Sheeple) in the dark.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:09 (average 4:44). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Trump* Virus Update:

0625TrumpVirusMap

Cases: 2,463,923
Deaths: 124,308

Short Takes:

From NY Times: The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Cory T. Wilson of Mississippi to a New Orleans-based circuit court over united Democratic opposition, handing President Trump the 200th federal judicial confirmation of his tenure and achieving a Republican goal of filling every appeals court opening by the end of the year.

In winning Senate approval, Judge Wilson, a conservative state court judge and former Mississippi legislator, became the 53rd federal appeals court judge installed by Mr. Trump and cemented a milestone in a judicial legacy that has reshaped the federal courts during his administration, including putting in place two Supreme Court justices. Republicans lauded the achievement. The vote was 52-48.

This is a sad day for America. There are now 200 more reasons that justice here will be undermined for many decades. RESIST!!

From Crooks and Liars: Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Union County, Oregon is tied to 236 cases of COVID-19 in the area — in a county with 258 cases.

And of course, the church in eastern Oregon cited Donald Trump’s demand that states allow churches to open as the reason they restarted services, against the law which didn’t allow religious groups to convene in large gatherings.

These Republican pseudo-Christians (the opposite of real authentic Christians) love to infect their neighbors with Trump* virus for their beloved criminal Fuhrer Trump*! RESIST!!

From YouTube (Adam Schiff Channel): Rep. Schiff on CNN: Barr is the Second Most Dangerous Man in America

Since Barrf is the third most dangerous man in the country (You forgot Bought Bitch Midnight Moscow Mitch), impeach him! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline High Quality

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

Open Thread–5/6/2020

Posted by TomCat at 10:36 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

May 062020

It’s a super-tired day here in the CatBox. I have no idea why, but, after sleeping just a couple hours last night, I woke up and could not fall asleep again. Tonight is a WWWendy night. After de-stinking the rancid TomCat, we’ll be gooping. Happy Hump Day to all.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:16 (average 4:48). To do it, click here. Hoe did you do?

Cartoon:

I made this cartoon eight years ago. Republicans are still at it, but worse.

Trump* Virus Update:

0506TrumpVirusMap

Short Takes:

From YouTube (Raw Story Channel): Kamala Harris grills DNI nominee John Ratcliffe on Trump’s COVID-19 response [emphasis added]

That lying, goose-stepping, Republican Nazi Sycophant needs to change his name. As it stands, it’s an insult to Rats. RESIST!!

From YouTube (Daily Kos Channel): Essential Workers Deserve a Bill of Rights

While I fully agree that essential workers are heroes that need and deserve a Bill of Rights, I would take it one step further and cover ALL workers with a Bill of Rights! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Wooden Ships – Crosby Stills Nash and Young

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!

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