Open Thread May 4, 2023

 Posted by at 6:06 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 042023
 

Yesterday, I finished the last of the cartoons needed for May. That’s a relief. Nothing much else happened. But in the CPR Newsletter, I followed a link to a sweet story about an original play for two actors, a young girl whose growing up is complicated by being an outsider, and her imaginary superhero, “The Falcon” – who has some insecuroties of his own, so that they end up helping each other. Written by a person of color (for people of color), I can imagine it being inspirationsl to just about any young person, as well as some of us older ones. Who isn’t insecure sometimes? (Well, besides narcissicists – who probably are too but can’t recognize it.) I’m not commenting on Putin’s claim because I’m still putting pieces together (but I strongly spspect BS.)

Cartoon – 04 0504Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes –

U.S. Department of Labor – Three McDonald’s Franchises in Kemtucky Pay $212K in fines after Federal Investigations Find 305 Minors – Including 10-year-olds – Working Illegally
Quote – Working in a kitchen late at night near dangerous cooking equipment is a reality for many adults in the food service industry. But finding 10-year-old kids in such a work environment is a cause for concern and action by the U.S. Department of Labor. Investigators from the department’s Wage and Hour Division found two 10-year-old workers at a Louisville McDonald’s restaurant among many violations of federal labor laws committed by three Kentucky McDonald’s franchise operators. The investigations are part of the division’s ongoing effort to stop child labor abuses in the Southeast region.
Click through for report. Tuesday we saw how Republicans are trying to legalize child labor. Now we see that some of them literally can’t wait.

The 19th – Colorado becomes the first state to ban controversial abortion pill reversals
Quote – The Abortion Pill Rescue Network is run by Heartbeat International, an anti-abortion group that promotes a controversial practice called abortion pill reversal, in which a patient is given progesterone within 72 hours of taking mifepristone, the first pill administered in a medication abortion, and before taking misoprostol, the second pill. The organization said more than 4,000 infants have been born since 2013 after people went through the reversal process. KFF Health News couldn’t independently verify that number, which Heartbeat International said is based on internal patient data.
Click through for story. I am not trying to push Oregon out of leading the way. But the combination of an expanded majority Dem legislature and a term-limited Governor’s second term seems to be having a positive effect.

Food For Thought

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Open Thread April 19, 2023

 Posted by at 6:57 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 192023
 

Yesterday, when I turned on Colorado Public Radio on the computer, what was playing wa Alan Hovhaness’s Symphony #50, which has the subtitle “Mount St. Helens,” and yes, he wrote it literally during the 1980 eruption – he was living within view of it. CPR – both the news side and the music side – are going all out for Earth Day. Today’s newsletter from Mother Jones included a few pointed paragraphs on people who are progressive enough to vote for Biden but not progressive enough to support a housing project of the kind needed to make replacing fossil fuels actually work, because NIMBY (“Not in my backyard.”) I can’t give you a link, since those remarks are in the newsletter only, but I can link to the lead story by a different author with the same theme. It made me think that maybe part of the problem of getting a strong progressive political majority is a kind of Catch-22 – really good education and money tend to go together. But people without money need a really good education in order to see the quakity of and the need for progressive policies. And for those who have both the educatin and the money, the money tends to corrupt. Here’s one ver short quote from the newsletter – “Some on the left continue to be quite acrobatic in their defense of blocking housing, ignoring all evidence that this mostly benefits rich homeowners.”

In other news, Fox and Dominion settled for about $785 milliom.  For anyone who (like me) is disappointed by this, I have ne word – Smartmatic.

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Short Takes –

CPR News – Gov. Jared Polis signs bills protecting access to abortion and gender-affirming care in Colorado
Quote – Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday signed a set of health care bills enshrining access to abortion and gender-affirming procedures and medications, as the Democrat-led state tries to make itself a safe haven for its neighbors, whose Republican leaders are restricting care. The goal of the legislation is to ensure people in surrounding states and beyond can come to Colorado to have an abortion, begin puberty blockers or receive gender-affirming surgery without fear of prosecution. Bordering states of Wyoming and Oklahoma have passed abortion bans and Utah has severely restricted transgender care for minors.
Click through for details. This is the right thing yo do, but it can’t be denied that it will also strengthen Colorado’s medical community, and also bring dollars to the state. It makes me proud of my state and my Governor. But…

CPR News – Colorado Catholic health clinic joins forces with D.C. law firm to challenge state’s new abortion-access law
Quote – In a lawsuit, Bella Health argues that the new law targets religious clinics’ duty to help pregnant women in need — which they say is a violation of their constitutional rights. They say those duties include helping women continue their pregnancies after they take mifepristone, a pharmaceutical drug used in medication abortion, and later change their mind. “We opened [the lawsuit] because of our belief that life is a precious gift from God, worthy of protection at all stages,” said Dede Chism, a nurse practitioner and co-founder and CEO at Bella Health and Wellness, in a release. “When a woman seeks our help to reverse the effects of the abortion pill, we have a religious obligation to offer every available option for her and her child.”
Click tthrough for the other side of the story. I don’t normally use the same source twice, but in this case, the story is not complete without both. This part makes me ashamed of the misogyny and stupidity of – some of us – some people, and no state can claim not to have them.

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Open Thread April 18, 2023

 Posted by at 6:50 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 182023
 

Yesterday, I received a “Damn-Giver Dispatch” email from John Pavlovitz. Some of y’all probably did also. But, in case you didn’t, or in case you did but missed this column, I want to link to it: “Yes, I’m A ‘Hateful’ Human Being.” I really like the way he turns things around. It’s the closest we can come to holding a mirror up to the deluded. Some, of course, will never see anything but what they want to see. But – sometimes – we have to try.

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Short Takes –

Daily Beast – Black Teen Shot in the Head After Ringing the Wrong Doorbell: Family
Quote – The alleged gunman, who has not been identified [to the media], was taken into custody and brought to a police station to give a statement. Placed on a 24-hour hold, he was released pending further investigation, something the chief of the Kansas City Police Department spent much of a short Sunday press conference justifying. “The vast majority of cases to include violent crime involve the suspect being released pending further investigation,” Chief Stacey Graves said. “In this case, the prosecutor requires more information from investigators that would take more than 24 hours to compile throughout the weekend.”
Click through for story. You may have seen it. The killer opened the main door, and there was a glass door which he shot through. There is video of him calmly sweeping up the broken glass. The “right” house was one block over, on a street with the same name except “Terrace” instead of “Street.” The victim is still alive, miraculously. Virgil was 21 when he survived major head injuries (from a car crash). No one ever fully gets back everything lost from injuries like that.

The 19th – A Black Texas couple chose their midwife’s care over a hospital. Now their newborn is in foster care.
Quote – A custody case currently unfolding in Texas has separated a newborn from her parents and highlighted two systemic realities in the United States: the policing of Black families by child welfare systems and the disregard of midwifery expertise by many doctors. It has been 20 days since infant Mila Jackson was taken from her parents by Child Protective Services in Texas after they sought guidance from their licensed midwife to treat a common infant condition rather than following a directive from their pediatrician. Now a court will decide if she’ll be returned to their custody.
Click through for details. With good prenatal care and no complications, a trained midwife is at least as competent as a doctor. Women were having babies assisted by midwives for centuries while doctors thought it was a waste of time to wash their hands between patients and were killing people thereby. Some of these child welfare people need to be tied down and forced to watch all the seasons of PBS’s “Call the Midwife.”

Food For Thought

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Open Thread March 25, 2023

 Posted by at 6:57 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Mar 252023
 

Yesterday, well, actually a few days ago, so you may have seen it, Disney fired a shot at DeSantis by announcing that Disney World will be hosting a “major summit on gay rights” in September. And Steve Schmidt made a rare exception and released his entire column to unpaid subscribers, I presume because the ignorance of the Constitutional law displayed by Republicans, including members of Congress, impelled him. I’d bookmark this one, or print it out, for when I encounter talking points which make out the Constitution to be whatever Republicans want it to be.

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Short Takes –

Robert Reich – What connects Trump’s likely arrest with the bank bailouts?
Quote – Thiel and other wealthy self-described “libertarians” want Trump to be re-elected president in 2024…. Charges of hypocrisy have been leveled at Thiel and other wealthy depositors who claim to be libertarians but were rescued by the government. There was nothing hypocritical about it. Thiel and others like him aren’t really opposed to government, per se. They’re opposed to democracy. They prefer an oligarchy — a government controlled by super-wealthy people like themselves.
Click through for story. I might suggest that it is indeed htpocritical to call yourself a libertarian when you are in fact an oligarchist. But there’s certainly a precendent in Ayn Rand.

Civil Discourse – A nightmare for women in Idaho could be coming to all of us soon
Quote – Bonner General Health wrote that it was forced to take the step because of physician shortages and a downturn in births. Then it explained the context in which it was being forced to shut down its labor and delivery unit: “Idaho’s legal and political climate – Highly respected, talented physicians are leaving. Recruiting replacements will be extraordinarily difficult. In addition, the Idaho Legislature continues to introduce and pass bills that criminalize physicians for medical care nationally recognized as the standard of care. Consequences for Idaho Physicians providing the standard of care may include civil litigation and criminal prosecution, leading to jail time or fines.”
Click through for details. Translation: When government tells doctors how to practice medicine, that is a threat to ALL doctors practicing ANY kind of medicine, and they will go elsewhere. If this spreads, the ENTIRE United states could lose ALL its doctors and medical facilities.

Food For Thought

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Open Thread March 15, 2023

 Posted by at 7:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Mar 152023
 

Yesterday, between spending Monday sleeping late even for me, and having my BFF ome over to help me with some – for me – heavy lifting (and when we get together, it never stops with the object of the meeting. We always have lots to talk about. For one thing, she just completed training and qualified as a notary), I had to start from scratch. That’s rare – I almost always have a little something left over. But I also did some catching up (or getting ahead.) One of today’s short takes is from Substack, and if you aren’t a sybscriber, it will probably present you with a popup with the choices “Subscribe” and “Let me read it first.” Just click on the latter.

Cartoon – 15 J Caesar RTL

Short Takes –

In the Writing Burrow (Margaret Atwood) – What Is This Health Care, Earthlings? #2
Quote – Tommy was keen on publicly funded health care because as a boy he almost lost a leg to osteomyelitis. His parents couldn’t afford to pay for advanced treatment, but an expert orthopedic surgeon treated him without charge and saved the leg. As he said later, “I felt that no boy should have to depend either for his leg or his life upon the ability of his parents to raise enough money to bring a first-class surgeon to his bedside.” We do tend to take things for granted once we have them. But what was it like before public healthcare? Well, my children, I can tell you. I was there.
Click through fpr article. Ms. Atwood’s style is lively (as if we didn’t know that from “The Handmaid’s Tale”) but her areticle on Canadian Medicare – and what Canada was like before Canadian Medicare – is revealing. (To read Pat #1, click on the top line – “In the Writing Burrow” You may have to scroll once.

The New Yorker – What We Still Don’t Understand About Postpartum Psychosis
Quote – Postpartum psychosis tends to come on suddenly, often within four to six weeks of childbirth, around the time of weaning, or following a period of extreme sleep deprivation; it is sometimes presaged by anxiety and insomnia. A woman experiencing postpartum psychosis may show signs of mania, depression, or both; she may have aural hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions; she may stay awake day and night. She may, for stretches of time, appear to be perfectly normal.
Click through for details. I had heard of postpartum depression, but not of postpartum psychosis. But I also haven’t rread about postpartum depression for a long time. This appears to be yet another way in which the patriarchy short-changes women (and ignores the welfare of children.) Yes, there are women working in medical research today, as there are in virtually any field. But can you name one profession/occupatiuion in which the ethics have altered as a result of the influx of women? I can’t/.

Food For Thought

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Open Thread March 10, 2023

 Posted by at 6:55 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Mar 102023
 

Yesterday, I did more work on cartoons. I had planned to get this done earlier, and then stuff happened, so now I’m kind of on deadline. I finished through the 15th, and, since there was only one more to go (the 29th), I finished it also. I’m not even going to look at April before next week sometime – bu it’s less sressful on me if I get them worked out well in advance.

Cartoon – 10 0310Cartoon.jpg

Short Takes –

PolitiZoom – McConnell Brandishes Inspirational Letter From Capitol Police Chief, Joins Schumer In Denouncing Fox News
Quote – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says Tucker Carlson’s whitewashing of the Capitol insurrection was a “mistake.” “My concern is how it was a depicted … Clearly, the chief of the Capitol Police … correctly describes what most of us witnessed firsthand on January 6th.”
Click through for story. Obviously this happened before he fell – and you know at least some MAGAts are going to claim that his fall was retribution for this. I think not.

Crooks & Liars – Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Is About Abortion Rights
Quote – When the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe vs Wade, the State of Wisconsin immediately reverted to an abortion ban that was passed in 1849. This law is so old and archaic and so poorly written, it is practically unenforceable. It is also all but guaranteed to come before the Wisconsin Supreme Court at some point in time. This naturally makes it the top issue in the upcoming election for an open seat on the state supreme court.
Click through for details. I don’t like the idea of electing judges, but it is what it is. Janet Protasiewicz, the progressive, was the top vote getter in an3-way open primary, BUT she received only a plurality, not a majority, and the third place (loser) is throwing support to the second place MAGAt. So this is not only important, but also precarious.

Food For Thought

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Open Thread March 5, 2023

 Posted by at 6:54 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Mar 052023
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was “La Favorita,” by Donizetti. It is from way, way back (although new enough to have pretty good sound; it’s not as old as, say Caruso), as were all the historic broadcasts offered from which to pick the “Listeners’ Choice.” Pavarotti is in it, as is Shirley Verrett (one of my favorites.) I voted, but I don’t remember for what – my preference was not that strong. Now, if one of them had been”The GreatGatsby,” from1/1/2000 … but it wouldn’t have won. Sigh. Back on topic – the “favorite” is a royal mistress who has now fallen in love with a former monk who has become a soldier in the army of the king whose mistress she is. That’s complicated enough, but just to make if more interesting, the king’s queen is the daughter of the father superior of the monastery which the favorite’s new love has just left (not amicably.) A setup like that is not going to end happily, but then, it’s opera. Even Bugs Bunny knew operas don’t end happily. Some of the characters are historical people, others not so much. The time is the mid-1300s and the king is Alfonso XI of Castile (who did exist.)  I guess i should add here that my side pains are pretty much non-existent today … I just haven’t made up the energy loss yet.

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Short Takes –

Crooks & Liars – Expert Spells Out How Russians Bought The Republican Party
Quote – But the Russian scheme to pick our political leaders went much, much deeper than Trump, according to Dr. Ruth May. A Professor of Global Business at the University of Dallas and an expert on Russia, her expertise includes the reversal of market-based institutions in Russia under Vladimir Putin, and exposing Russia’s attack on our American democracy in the 2016 presidential election.
Click through for article and a video. I would have liked a little more detail, particularly since there’s not really anything we didn’t know. Dr. May is highly credentialed, so I don’t doubt that due diligence has been done here, but it’s not really visible.

ProPublica – 94 Women Allege a Utah Doctor Sexually Assaulted Them. Here’s Why a Judge Threw Out Their Case.
Quote – It was years, Mateer said, before she learned that her experience was in a sharp contrast to the conduct called for in professional standards, including that doctors use only their fingertips during a breast exam and communicate clearly what they are doing in advance, to gain the consent of their patient. Eventually, she gave her experience another name: sexual assault. Utah judges, however, have called it health care. And that legal distinction means Utahns like Mateer who decide to sue a health care provider for alleged sexual abuse are treated more harshly by the court system than plaintiffs who say they were harmed in other settings.
Click through for details. I try to give hanky alerts and trigger alerts – but this one needs a blood pressure alert.

Food For Thought

 

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Video Thread 3/2/2023

 Posted by at 3:03 pm  Open Thread, Politics
Mar 022023
 

Glenn Kirschner – Trump’s unhinged rants about prosecutors Jack Smith & Fani Willis signal Trump knows what’s coming (and in other news, water is wet.)

Farron Balanced – Trump Goes Completely Nuts After Fox News Talked About Ron DeSantis

Twitter – Blind Spots

Liberal Redneck – Tennessee Drag Ban

Little Seal’s Family Waits Nearby While Someone Saves His Life

Beau – Let’s talk about maintaining hope….

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