Dec 062012
 

My COPD is still pretty severe, but I’m in the saddle and current with replies.  Tonight is a special holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb, because my Broncos take on the Raiders in a Thursday night meditation.  Tomorrow I hope to get articles up before leaving for a volunteer day in prison.  I normally never go on a Friday, but the prison is closing the activities section during the latter half of the month for the holidays, so we’re on an unusual schedule.  Next Tuesday will be my last volunteer day this month.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:32 (average 4:17).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: One Chart Gives You 20 Reasons To Support Unions

6unions

Almost every one is sufficient reason in itself.

From Politico: Voters support higher taxes on the wealthy by a margin of better than 2 to 1, according to a new poll Thursday.

Sixty-five percent of voters back increased taxes for Americans making more than $250,000 a year, while 31 percent oppose, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released. Democrats support that measure 84-14 percent, and independents are in favor of the tax hikes 66-31 percent. Republicans, on the other hand, oppose such tax increases 53-41 percent, the poll found.

Popular support guarantees Republican opposition.

From NY Times: Obama went too far by demanding $1.6 trillion in revenue, that he should have stayed with Simpson-Bowles — which calls for $2.2 trillion in revenue.

Obama is being far more reasonable than Republicans deserve.

Cartoon:

6Cartoon

A day of mourning for Teabaggers.

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  15 Responses to “Open Thread–12/6/2012”

  1. Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States. 

    The 13th amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States, passed the Senate on April 8, 1864, and the House on January 31, 1865. On February 1, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln approved the Joint Resolution of Congress submitting the proposed amendment to the state legislatures. The necessary number of states ratified it by December 6, 1865. The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." 

    More to read in this link: 

    http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=40 
    .

  2. 3:26  Will the ladies push me off the bridge?  Be nice,  it is a long way down.

  3. Puzzle — 3:25  Do you swim Jerry?  Let's hope you don't have iron in your britches!  We are all so close.  I wonder if Patty will make this into the Talahatchee (sp?) bridge for us all.
     
    MoveOn — AMEN!!  I look at these 20 reasons and even though I was never unionised, I think that most of this applied to me.  Part of the reason I believe, was the fear of unions in the Canadian banking industry.  There were still some union shops but very few.  Sometimes the unions made it easier — everyone abides by the contract, end of discussion — yet in other ways it was harder — I as a manager had no discretion in rewarding good work ethic and performance.  In a non union environment I had a lot more discretion which I used, but fairly.  I didn't play favourites.
     
    Politico — People say this, yet many still voted for the Republican/Teabaggers.  Indoctrinated against their own self interest!  Shameful.  Raise the tax rate on the 2%!
     
    NY Times — Wasn't it Lyin' Ryan who made a rather catty remark during the campaign that Mr Obama didn't adopt the Simpson-Bowles recommendations?  Well if the $2.2 trillion in new tax revenue had been adopted, what would Republican/Teabaggers be saying now given their negotiation point is $800 billion?  They are so out to lunch and out of touch!  Mr Obama should have gone with the $2.2  trillion. 
     
    Cartoon — You'd think people would learn after almost 150 years.  But it appears that slavery and indentured servitude still exist in the US.  http://www.care2.com/causes/indentured-labor-hidden-in-americas-richest-homes.html
     
    Extra! Extra! — Looks like Sen DeMint is leaving the senate and going to head up the heritage Foundation.  I guess the elections aren't over yet.  http://www.politico.com/multimedia/video/2012/12/demint-i-can-do-more-on-outside-than-inside.html
     
     

    • I still stand a good chance of being 4th.

      I agree.  Although money does not trickle down, it appears that benefits do.

      Ignorance exaxts a terrible toll.

      Again, that was yesterday's lie.

      See today's #2. 🙂

      '

  4. As much as I support Unions, some Unions are better than others. I still have no pension/retirement plan & our health plan just began in 2010, only now does the State pay for training.  Since my job is tied to home services, the State still holds us all hostage – IL. finally okayed a "tentative" contract in Nov., though our contract was technically up in July & we've been "negotiating" since January!  No raise until July, 2013, and then only 10cents!:(  The governor is a DINO, Pat Quinn is as bad or worse than a RepubliCON in my book – closing needed Institutions like Murray's Center (which is the Only place I would ever even consider sending my Autistic son if I became unable to care for him) while claiming "community based care" is better (but NOT providing it or paying for it!)..he makes me sick..  

  5.  
    Lincoln
     
    http://www.thelincolnmovie.com/
     
    or
     
    http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/dreamworks/lincoln/
     
    Highly recommended!
     
    Film is about what transpires in getting the 13th Amendment passed during the civil war..
    .

    • I saw the movie last weekend and it was wonderful!  I felt it gave insight into the man, not just the politics that you get in school history lessons.  Spielberg and Kushman did a great job along with Day-Lewis and Sally Field.

    • Thanks again, Jim.

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