I’m writing for tomorrow and still feel like something to be buried in the deep end of my kitty box. My Broncos do not worship the Ellipsoid Orb until Sunday, so tomorrow, may its divine light shine upon your team.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:09 (average 5:28). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie lashed out at the media today, saying that it had “failed to focus on the single most important issue regarding me, which is my weight.”
At a press conference in Trenton, Christie yelled at a room full of reporters, accusing them of doing the public a disservice by not devoting all of their coverage of him to the issue of his body mass.
“How much I’ve weighed in the past, how much I weigh now, and how much I’m eating—that’s all you clowns should be writing about,” he yelled. “Anything else is just a distraction.”
LOL Andy. That Republican criminal would do anything to switch the focus to anything but Bridgeghazi.
From NY Times: With his strong-armed change to the filibuster rule and an iron-fisted control of the Senate floor, Senator Harry Reid has engaged in the greatest consolidation of congressional power since Newt Gingrich ruled the House, unleashing a bitterness that may derail efforts to extend unemployment insurance.
Mr. Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, on Thursday dismissed all proposed Republican amendments to the unemployment extension, even those drafted by Republicans who had handed Democrats a victory on Tuesday by voting to take up the bill.
“We get nowhere with dueling amendments,” Mr. Reid declared.
A Republican effort to try to reopen the amendment process failed on a party-line vote, 42 to 54, setting up a showdown next week that is likely to end in the bill’s demise, Democrats conceded.
To Democrats, it was a typical Reid show of force in the face of unfair Republican amendments. To Republicans, it was only the latest — and one of the boldest — slaps in the face.
The Republicans’ amendments had nothing to do with either helping the unemployed or promoting job growth, contrary to Republican lies on the matter. Each was a poison pill, designed to kill the bill in a way that they could deceptively claim to have supported it. Reid was spot on to insist that Republicans kill it directly, if they’re going to kill it anyway, so at least they can take credit for their greed and heartlessness.
From YouTube: RACHEL MADDOW: An Alternate Theory Of The Christie Scandal
While not proven, Rachel’s theory makes more sense than everything I have heard so far, so I decided you should get an opportunity to learn it and decide for yourselves.
Cartoon:
8 Responses to “Open Thread–1/11/2013”
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Bridgeghazi – Priceless… 😆
5:04 –
3:16 Finches are quick little birds.
7:30 Feeling about as functional as the chain myself.
We have seen it through history that "straw man" easily demolished stories have been brought out to get the public so involved in debating yes or no they they don't look past. Whether or not Rachel's theory is correct, she is at least too sharp to be distracted by the smoke screen, and kudos to her. Even though I could hardly care less what his motivations were, I think that his motivations may be key to nailing him, so I hope we do get the whole story.
(All the detective novels I read, including a number of historical ones, Rachel is following an extremely sound principle: "Look for the break in the pattern.")
The New York Times: The Repubicans are determined to block the unemployment extension and any other program that will help the needy. I am glad Ried is finally standing up to them.
Rachel Maddow is probably right. She is so astute about things political. Too bad she isn't interested in an elective office.
I hope you get well soon.
Thanks all. Still feel like burying me. 🙁
Rachel Maddow (as always) makes excellent sense – the person who wrote the email was being thrown to the wolves without getting a chance to defend themselves OR to say who told them to write the email – and the timing is spot on – nothing else fits. Thanks TC!
Glorious cartoon – I missed it the first time – thanks TC!