Jul 182014
 

I’m writing for tomorrow, say 88.  I’m rushing, because I have physical therapy in the morning, I’m tired, and I’m running out of day.  Depending on how badly the PT wipes me out, I may be AWOL for Saturday articles.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:48 (average 4:37).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Upworthy: Having cash in the bank, stocks, a 401(k), and a house (or houses) full of stuff worth money — that’s all wealth. And it’s great to have for two basic reasons: (1) It’s handy when the goin’ gets tough (e.g., expensive medical emergencies, car troubles, making tuition, etc.), and (2) having more wealth means having more freedom to think about and plan for the future, including retirement.

But over the last several decades, rule changes that benefit the rich have made wealth harder to come by for most of us. Take a look below.

0718rich

If you haven’t guessed, in the GOP War on the poor and middle classes, they’re winning.

From Daily Kos: If you think House Speaker John Boehner’s pre-impeachment lawsuit against President Obama for failing to implement Obamacare quickly enough makes him look like an obstructionist jackass who is more interested in political stunts than doing the right thing for the country, you’re not alone:

A majority of Americans view House Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) lawsuit over President Obama’s delayed implementation of ObamaCare’s employer mandate as a “political stunt,” according to a new poll released Monday.

The survey, commissioned by liberal advocacy group Americans United for Change, found that 51 percent of voters don’t believe the lawsuit is legitimate, versus just 41 percent who do.

Moreover, 56 percent say the lawsuit is wasteful spending, with just 36 percent saying it is a good use of taxpayer dollars.

That’s exactly what I said, when Agent Orange first announced it.

From AlterNet: The Associated Press is reporting that a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane was allegedly shot down in Ukraine near the Russian border Thursday. An advisor to the Ukraine’s Interior Minister confirmed the report at 11:40am. The plane was flying at an altitude of 33,000 feet when it was shot down by a surface-to-air missile, Ukraine officials are reporting on Facebook.

A Russian aviation industry source told Reuters news service that the 777 did not enter Russian airspace when it was expected, but crashed in eastern Ukraine.

The Boeing 777 had 280 passengers and 15 crew members,  Interfax reported citing an an aviation industry source. It is reported that all passengers and crew have been killed. Twenty-three Americans were reportedly on the flight. 

Political tensions and violence have been high in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border. The Ukranian government is alleging that separatist rebels shot down the plane, and the separatists are blaming Kiev. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families. Of course Republicans say they know who is at fault.

Cartoon:

0718Cartoon

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  18 Responses to “Open Thread–7/18/2014”

  1. TC – according to a defence analyst on the BBC World News last night, the same Twitter account that boasted of the downing of previous Ukraine jets and helicopters (Ukrainian rebels), boasted of the downing of this flight saying that it was another Ukraine jet – before it was known that it was a passenger jet.  Of course that is not conclusive evidence at all, but it is one piece in the puzzle. If this tragedy happened through human action or inaction, then that is mass murder.  Have been praying hard for all those affected – the grief must be utterly overwhelming for so many people.

    It is unbelievable to everyone not at the top of these companies that they would fly over war zones – knowing full well that people these days have ground to air missiles, unstable personalities (to put it very mildly) and both a lack of an ability to tell passenger jets from fighter jets – and a complete lack of desire to know the difference!   It takes both astonishing amounts of executive arrogance and a complete disregard for others safety for them to have relied on the fact that airliners 'squawk' constantly that they are airliners – this works well for air traffic control – but is irrelevant to terrorists and rebels, who do not have equipment to tell the difference and don't care either.

    Now – far too late for those nearly 300 innocents, companies are saying they won't fly over war zones….   Is any one surprised that companies did it to save money….. no?  Me neither!!

     

  2. 2:57 Not draggin" my butt today.

  3. Upworthy ~ Income inequality makes it more difficult for most of us to afford any luxuries but I would still wager that we are happier than any of them. They are constantly worried that they will lose all they have. We take pleasure in the simple things. You can't buy that kind of happiness. A little more money would make life easier but I wouldn't want to be rich. Just start paying people a living wage so that so many don't have to live in povery.

    Daily Kos ~ I would like to know what those 36% think is a bad use of taxpayer dollars. Then again, maybe I wouldn't.

    Alternet  ~ Sadly, this disaster shares a morbid anniversary with the crash of TWA Flight 800 which crashed over Long Island shortly after taking off from JFK on this date in 1996. The TWA crash was determined to be caused by a faulty fuel tand. This Ukrainian crash was a man-made disaster most likely. More l=needless loss of human life to make a point???

    Cartoon ~ Is that Lyin' Ryan I see fiddling while America burns?

  4. 3:48  Since (at least western) dragons are supposed to breathe fire, wouldn't this be a great faucet to have in a fracking area?  All you'd have to do is light it up, and, presto!  Fire breathing dragon!

    Upworthy:  At the age of 68, I have noticed that – I have noticed it happening.  It is visible to anyone living and working; even if the exact numbers are not known, the trend is unmistakable.  I don't know how the conservatives who are not wealthy have failed to see it.

    Daily Kos:  It distresses me that the numbers for Boehner are so high.  41% is a big chunk.  36% is not quite as big a chunk, but still a big chunk to agree with a statement so egregious.  Especially since most of those 36% are a heckuva lot more concerned about the debt than, say, I am.  Also, those particular chunks of people ae very conscientious about voting.  The 51% and 56% not so much.  i haven't mentioned GOTV for a while.  Looks like it's time to say it again.  And remember Eric Cantor.

    Alternet – Pat A's comment is very illuminating.  Thanks, Pat A

    Cartoon – And the tactic of creating a disaster, then blaming it on someone you don't like so you can start or step up the persecution, is still alive and well.

    • JD, how drôle about fire breathing dragons, although the fracking stinks.  Very good!  Very good!

  5. Puzzle — 2:57  I was born in the year of the Dragon so this is very appropriate for me.

    Upworthy — Come the revolution, the wealthy will see just how far their money won`t go.  There is so much inequality globally that I don`t think there will be a country untouched.  People like Romney might have to wash their own cars!

    Daily Kos — Hee-haw!  Hee-haw!!  Boehner is a jack-ass!  And those 36% who think the law suit is a good use of funds . . . Hee-haw!  They should be the ones footing the bill, not the American people.  Bet their tune would change then . . . or at least for some of them.  It is amazing how attitudes change when it is YOUR money.

    NY Times — "Of course Republicans say they know who is at fault."  Let me guess.  The Republicanus/Teabaggers will find a way to blame it on Obama and get Issa to call anvestigation and hearing.  If they don`t do that, they will blame the Ukraine.

    As of this afternoon, the type of missile has been identified and the launch point is thought to be in the pro-Russian rebel controlled area.  Apparently one blackbox has been recovered by the rebels and turned over to the Russians, and the rebels have been firing at the international investigation team.  Of course the Republicanus/Teabaggers love their Putie!

    I find myself wanting to close my arms around the families of those killed.

    Cartoon — Ah, Paul Lyin` Ryan played while America`s poor and elderly burned!  How appropriate for that little weasel!  My apologies to the Worldwide Federation of Weasels.

    • Oops!  That should read "Alternet" NOT "NY Times".  My bad!  I am tired after physio and had a cat nap that has left me with a nap hangover.

  6. Good luck with your physical therapy, hope it doesn't wipe you out.

    Upworthy:  I posted the graph to Facebook as a reminder to my Republican friends that they are NOT in the top one percent and at this rate never will be.

    Daily Kos:  I am glad to see that a majority of American voters agree with you TC and consider this a political, money wasting stunt by Agent Orange.

    Alternet:  This another tragedy for the world to watch and wonder about.  I am sure there will be some way for the Republicans to blame it on Pres. Obama.

    Cartoon:  Our world is burning just as Rome did, but most don't realize it.

  7. On the other thread, JD mentioned Nelson Mandela on Google.  Since I admired Mandela so much I checked it out.  
    http://www.dw.de/67-minutes-in-memory-of-nelson-mandela/a-17793941

    Wouldn`t it be great that instead of mandatory military service as some nations have, the idea of 67 minutes was instituted.  For other nations, perhaps 67 minutes be a couse requirement for high school graduation, or employers start encouraging 67 minutes.

    Hell, peace might actually break out!  Wouldn`t Cheney be pissed!  Be still my heart.

  8. There is a petition on Care2 to  say no to drilling in Yellowstone Park.  Hope you`ll sign.

    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/623/319/926/

  9. I see that Schnieder has cut off the water supply to Detroit residents.

    Am I really in America, the GREATEST and Richest and most powerfull country in the World!!( supposedly.)

    and how about the Infrastucture vote?. Fall through a bridge or into a pothole and see if the repugs care!.

    As is said in Europe. "Nobody builds Roads like Americans" THANK GOD!

  10. 4:22 – Puzzle 🙄

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