Nov 262014
 

I’m writing for tomorrow, Day 21.  This is my only article.  I have to leave early and meet my ride to prison several miles away to avoid the Ferguson protests.  Tomorrow the cooking begins.

Excellent meeting.  Exhausted.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 5:58).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Fantasy Football Report:

Here’s the latest from our own fantasy football league, Lefty Blog Friends.

Scores:

12Scores

That was a last minute shock! 🙁

Standings:

12Standings

There are only two weeks left before our playoffs begin.  Can I toast the toester?

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: From NPR station KCUR:

Although gay and lesbian couples are getting married in at least 24 Kansas counties, Gov. Sam Brownback won’t allow any state recognition of the unions.

Brownback said Thursday that he won’t offer any of the benefits heterosexual couples get, such as name changes on a driver’s license or employee benefits for gay and lesbian state workers.

“There is still considerable legal ambiguity on the topic of same-sex marriage,” said Eileen Hawley, a Brownback spokeswoman. “Once that ambiguity is gone, the governor will direct state agencies to comply with applicable laws.”

When the Supreme Court refused to extend the temporary stay, he said [pseudo-Christians delinked]:

I swore an oath to support the Constitution of the State of Kansas. I will review this ruling with the attorney general and see how best we continue those efforts.

In other words: Marriage discrimination now, marriage discrimination tomorrow, marriage discrimination forever!

Is it realistic to think he is impeachable? This is the Theocracy that the idiots who elected him want.

From NY Times: Months of anger and frustration, in the end, led only to more anger and frustration.

Shops were looted and burned on Ferguson’s main street. There were smoke bombs, tear gas, thrown rocks and random gunshots. In Ferguson, the aftermath of the shooting death of Michael Brown was almost as bitter and hollow as his killing itself.

Brien Redmon, 31, stood in the cold watching a burning police car and sporadic looting after the announcement that there would be no indictments for Mr. Brown’s death at 18.

While I cannot support rioting, I understand the outrage. Even here, a major demonstration is planned. I lave to leave early and meat my ride to prison five miles away from my home, because the march will be under my window. I almost wish I weren’t going.

From Upworthy: How we treat individuals with disabilities is often colored by how we perceive them and the judgments we make upon first meeting someone with a disability. For this woman, that includes being thought of as a 2-year-old when she’s actually a college student who’s smart as a whip and just happens to have a physical disability. It doesn’t make her less than "normal."

 

One word: Kudos

Cartoon:

1126Cartoon

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  15 Responses to “Open Thread–11/26/2014”

  1. 3:37 Watch out, TC. I don't think this is edible.

  2. Glad you had a good meeting.  I hope the protests are peaceful in your neck of the woods.

    Daily Kos ~ I wonder if he will ever pull his head out of his ass.

    NY Times ~ The rioters are fueled by anger and frustration but are harming their cause by acting like thugs. Change needs to happen but this is not the way to change things. Michael Brown's family called for peaceful demonstrations but some in the crowds aren't listening.

    Upworthy ~ Kudos! I also give you Stephen Hawking.

    Cartoon ~ How dare she!

     

  3. 4:38 average down to 5:29.  Harder than it looks and temperamentsl with it.  And no cat food.

    Maybe someone should consider a helmet.

    Daily Kos – If the laws in question were anti fracking laws, and he were standing out in the National Forest to prevent the drills, we would think he was a hero.  I don't think he's a hero, I think he's a jerk, but I recognize courage of one's convictions when I see it, even if wrong.  It this easier or harder to fight than hypocrisy?  I don't know the answer to that.  But I didn't know he had it in him.

    NY Times – Well, we certainly saw it coming, from the way they talked and acted in the days leading up to it.  When I looked up A$$hole of the Day to see whether Governor Brownback had been honored (not yet), I learned that Mr. McCullough, the prosecutor, had been honored for yesterday with an explanation which, for the site, just about constitutes a novel.  Bottom line, he knew, before the Grand Jury even convened, that this would be the verdict, because he handled it to this verdict.  I cannot wrap my mind around someone who knowingly and deliberately sets up something that will lead to pitchforks and torches, and apparently doen't think he has done anythong wrong.  HE should be charged with inciting a riot.  About as likely as Wilson being charged with anything.

    Upworthy – Anyone besides me suspect that being a woman makes the misconceptions worse? 

    Cartoon – How the British Royal Family managed to produce a jewel like her is a constant source of amazement to me.  Did everyone here know she worked as an auto mechanic during World War II?  Yes, she's a human being, and yes, she's not perfect, but she does have a history of putting her money where her mouth is and being willing to get her hands dirty.

    • P.S.  There is a petition to disbar Robert McCullough, the Ferguson prosecutor, ICYMI
      http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/822/894/385/

      • Petition signed.

        “It is time for the DOJ to step in and investigate the killing of Mike Brown by Darrel Wilson. Mike Brown’s civil rights were violated by Wilson. The handling of this case from the beginning by Bob Murdoch, St. Louis Co. prosecutor has been biased and racist.”

      • Thanks, Joanne. Signed.

      • Thanks JD. Signed.

        There have been protests expressing displeasure with the Grand Jury's decision not to indict Wilson, in Seattle and Portland that I have heard about, and undoubtedly there are more.

    • JD, I did know that from the stories my grandfather told me.  He was the director of the Beaver Club (a Canadian servicemen's club — officers not allowed) in London during WWII.  King George and Queen Elizabeth frequently visited the club and my grandfather had pictures of them sitting at his desk etc.  He was invited many times out to Viscount Massey's estate (he was one of Canada's Governor Generals) where Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret frequently visited.  He had a picture of Princess Elizabeth in uniform riding her bicycle on her way to work.  When my grandfather died in 1991 at age 99+years, my father received a letter from Clarence House in London expressing condolences to the family.  Clarence House was the official residence of the Queen Mum as she was affectionately known.

    • My daughter in law, who workd for a DA in Mississippi, got an email today that said, that DA would have indicted a ham sandwich, as long it was not on white bread.  She was upset by it, I thought it was accurate.   She and I don't always agree.

  4. Puzzle — 3:29  I agree Patty.  Looks like one would be getting a mouthful of cotton batting.

    FF — "There are only two weeks left before our playoffs begin.  Can I toast the toester?" — I believe that question should read "Can I toast the toaster?"  TC you can raise a glass of bubbly to my success anytime but I am going to toast your furry butt this week, and not with a glass of bubbly!

    Daily Kos — I hope Brownback knows that the Munchkins are gearing up for confrontation!

    "…I will review this ruling with the attorney general and see how best we continue those efforts." — that's so rich.  My guess is that he'll talk to Secretary of State for Kansas, Kris Kobach, too.  I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that one!

    "Brownback is in contempt of court. He is defying a court order. He, as the chief executive officer, has overridden an order from the judiciary. He is in contempt of court. For this, he should be impeached, and possibly sent to jail." — Where do I sign in support of impeachment?

    NY Times — My understanding of the Grand Jury system is that a grand jury determines if there is sufficient evidence for charges and trial, but does not determine the guilt or innocence of a person. Wikipedia notes "The grand jury served to screen out incompetent or malicious prosecutions…"  As Jim Phillips says above "The handling of this case from the beginning by Bob Murdoch, St. Louis Co. prosecutor has been biased and racist.”"  It seems that the incompetence comes from the prosecutor.

    Upworthy — A well spoken young lady.  KUDOS indeed.  My paternal grandfather (the one who knew the Queen) and I would go out for lunch after church.  Invariably, the server would turn to me and ask what my grandfather would like to eat.  I would become annoyed and say "Ask him,"  Of course I'd get 'the look' then.  I'd remind the server to speak clearly and slowly.  My grandfather was hard of hearing, not stupid, not incapable of relaying his wishes.  It still angers me because in my book, he was being disrespected.

    Cartoon — I am not a monarchist, but I am not against the monarchy either.  The monarchy is tradition.  I think of Elizabeth II as the people's queen when she makes such decisions.  If I recall correctly, the Queen made the decision during a time when the British economy was in a bit of a shambles and the Queen was showing some solidarity.  Pat A could clear that up for us.  Queen Elizabeth I, back in the 16th and early 17th century was also known as a people's queen because she cared so much for the people, not an easy thing when chunks of the court were after her head because she was Protestant, like her father Henry VIII.  It was the US Founding Fathers that observed the religious divide in England and wanted no part of a state religion.

    • Lynn, this happens all the time now with my Mom.  People talk to me instead of her and it makes her very angry.  I try to steer them to speaking to her, but it does not always work.  They assume that because she is old, she cannot understand them.  She has dementia, and is rapidly losing her memory, but she still understands when they talk to her.

  5. Daily Kos:  The courts ruled, but he chooses to ignore the rulings.  Right wing nuts prevail at this time, I hope that comes to an end soon.

    NY Times:  I understand the outrage, too, but rioting and looting don't solve any problems and those businesses that were looted and burned will have a hard time coming back.  Looting and burning solve nothing and make the people look worse.  It never makes sense to me to destroy where you live because you are angry at a court ruling.  Needless to say, there is little outrage in rural E. Ky.

    UPworthy:  She is right, people do treat those with disabilities as though they are lacking intelligence.  I worked with a woman who had polio as a child and was paralyzed on one side and had to use a crutch to walk.  She would be furious if anyone called her disabled.  She was smarter than most everyone else in the office, and had supported herself since she was 18 years old.  She taught me a lot about how to behave around someone perceived as disabled.

    Cartoon:  I am sure the Repubs would label anyone who voluntarily paid taxes as a traitor.  Look how hard they work to keep their pals in the corporations from paying taxes.

     

  6. Fell asleeo at keyboard.  Just woke up

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