Yesterday I got some rest so I have another article for you today. I’m still on light duty, but hope to gain strength as time goes on. I am disappointed, because today is a prison volunteer day, and I’m not up to it yet. Have a fantastic day.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:46 (average 4:54). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Raw Story: Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) on Friday declared that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would have murdered the participants of the original 1773 Boston Tea Party and and would have “killed off” half of the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence.
In a 30-minute floor speech to express his outrage over a report in The Daily Caller [propaganda delinked] that said the Department of Homeland Security was “protecting the free speech rights of pro-Shariah Muslim supremacists,” Gohmert noted that President Barack Obama’s administration had a number of other problems like the recent news that the IRS had scrutinized the tax-exempt status of tea party and other conservative groups.
“Homeland Security has had reports warning their employees about the dangers of people that may be involved in such heinous activity as being classified as evangelical Christians or as being concerned about the Constitution and that people should be following the Constitution, and concerned about people who may have tea party in their name,” he explained…
On the other hand, had Gohmert been alive in 1776, he would have been in an asylum. That he is in Congress, instead of an asylum, today, if there is a difference, is a sad commentary on American voters.
From The New Yorker: In a dramatic departure from existing White House procedures, President Obama requested today that his staff start cc’ing him on stuff.
“Look, I know a lot of you think I’m really busy and you don’t want to bother me,” the President reportedly told his staff in an Oval Office meeting. “But cc me anyway. It’s good for me to keep up on what’s going on around here.”
“It’s not good when I turn on the news and they’re talking about something at the White House and I’m like, whoa, when did that happen?” Mr. Obama added. “I think cc’ing me would go a long way toward fixing that.”
“Maybe put a Post-It note on your computer saying, ‘CC POTUS,’ so you don’t forget,” he said as the meeting broke up…
Humor aside, I do think it would behoove Obama to be a bit more inclined to direct his staff, instead of his tendency to allow them complete independence.
From NY Times: Throughout months of Republican “investigation” into the tragedy in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 last year, the Central Intelligence Agency has escaped the scrutiny and partisan bashing aimed at the State Department and the White House. But we now know that the C.I.A., and not the State Department or the White House, originated the talking points that Republicans (wrongly) insisted were proof of a scandal. It was more central to the American presence in Benghazi than the State Department, and more responsible for security there.
The C.I.A.’s role needs to be examined to understand what happened and how to better protect Americans…
I fully agree, but understand that Republicans have a supremely important reason for ignoring the CIA and focusing on the State Department. Hillary is not in charge of the CIA.
Cartoon:
13 Responses to “Open Thread–5/23/2013”
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3:22 Who will win the racee to the top?
3:44 No race here. I didn't make it to the top in 1978, and I didn't today. Heights aren't exactly my forté!
3:51 I fell off and landed at the bottom.
Well you done good Jerry! At least you provided a soft landing for TC!
OMG!! I'm not LAST! 😮
Raw Story ~ Is it too late to stick him in an asylum now?
Nwe Yorker ~ I agree that he put too much trust into these men and women. The Presidency should be more "hands on".
NY Times ~ It has been known for quite a while that the CIA directed the talking points. The RepublicanTs chose t ignore that fact and focus on Hillary because they have never liked either of the Clintons.
Cartoon ~ Excellent!
We should.
I agree.
More because running against her in 2016 scares the crap out of them!
Thanks!
What disgusting rhetoric – love the cartoon! – Heal up TC!
Thanks Lee!
Good cartoon – painfully true alas! The ability of the Repuglicons to obsess about something – anything – then be completely immune to reason is really alarming and shows no sign of abating. Is there something in the water or is it all peer pressure making them go further and further out on more ridiculous limbs?
Sorry you had to miss your volunteer day in the prison TC – you will be sadly missed htere I know, but you simply must get better first!
It mist be drinking the InsaniTEA, 😉
Thanks, Pat.
Puzzle — 3:44 No race here. I didn't make it to the top in 1978, and I didn't today. Heights aren't exactly my forté!
Raw Story — Goh-merde's almost non-sensical ramblings prove that he is only fit for an asylum. That he managed to get elected does not bode well for my Texas friends. God gave us all brains to use but apparently Goh-merde thought God said trains and decided to wait for the next one! Bad choice.
The New Yorker — I have one thing to say — Mr Obama, inspect what you expect! That way, you're less likely to get blindsided!
NY Times — If Republican/Teabaggers actually spent time looking at the events in Benghazi and their supporting documentary evidence, rather than playing politics with the situation, the investigation would be finished, new protocols to fix systemic problems would be in place, and the government could be working on other issues that need attention. Republican/Teabaggers are not interested in governing "for, of and by the people".. They are only interested in governing "for, of and by the 1%, corporations, and Republican/Teabaggers"!
Cartoon — Too bad that the tornados didn't touch down at Inhofe's place. I'd like to see him deny it then!
Mashed!
Exactly!
Amen!
Bingo!
Really!