Yesterday I didn’t get much catch-up done, because a site I frequent was hacked, potentially compromising one of the twenty passwords I commonly use. I also needed to ban someone, who has read and commented here for several years, because he would not heed warnings to stop attacking people who disagree with him. Here I insist that we argue issues, but we treat each other with respect when we disagree. I’m current with replies. Tomorrow is another catch-up day.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today it took me 4:42 (average 5:28). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Huffington Post: During the Senate’s five week holiday, President Obama has several recess options, including invoking Theodore Roosevelt’s intercession mandatory adjournment precedent. Courts have long held that recess appointments may be made during both intersession and intrasession Senate breaks.
Recess commissions signed before the end of the 112th Senate’s first session — Jan. 3, 2012 at 12 p.m. — last through 2012. However, recess commissions better-timed to be signed instantly at noon (or anytime after the second session formally begins) last through 2013. The officials could then be re-recess appointed during Obama’s second term.
Many recess appointments are needed at this time. This situation bears close watching. Urge Obama to appoint.
From Business Week: Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, who has been excluded from most Republican presidential debates and has barely registered in polls of the race, said he instead will seek the Libertarian nomination for the White House.
“I am a Libertarian — that is, someone who is fiscally very conservative but holds freedom-based positions on the issues that govern our personal behavior,” Johnson, 58, said in a statement as he announced his decision at the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe. “This election is about issues larger than party or personal ambition. The future of our country is at stake. I believe this election needs a true libertarian voice.”
I’m certainly in favor of splitting the Republican vote.
From Cap Times: Last year the Honor Roll that I [John Nichols] compiled for The Nation recognized courageous, if often lonely, battlers against an austerity agenda, an ascendant tea party and a Republican electoral wave that had put Democrats, working folks and the unions that represent them on the defensive nationwide. This year we celebrate the remarkable movements that have arisen not just to stem the conservative tide but to build a new vision of progressivism for the 21st century. How much has changed? As 2011 finished, even Barack Obama was sounding populist themes. And progressives were organizing, fighting and winning critical battles on the streets, in the polling places and in the media. The events of 2011 did not transform America. But they did confirm that millions of Americans are ready to fight for the 99 percent.
This is well worth reading. Click through for the honor role.
Cartoon:
Western Wisconsin volunteers collecting signatures for the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker have allegedly again been met by aggressive opponents. 
In the last few weeks of 2011, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) rounded out his concerted campaign against Michigan workers with a few final laws. In a prejudicial move against the LGBT community, Snyder signed a measure 
