I’m running late today, because I had to collect all the data and prepare the graphics for tomorrow’s Monthly Report. My helper did not show up yesterday either. She probably had to work.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:29 (average 5:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From Daily Kos: The pension woes in NJ are, to a great extent, the result of past governors’ actions, but IMO Christie owned it as of his 2011 law/union negotiation package (that he is trying to renege on this year).
His argument that "I don’t have to abid by my own agreement because my own agreement is unconstitutional!!! Ha, ha, suck it, ya liberal union pensioners, gotta pay for dem tax cuts!" is a pretty bizarre argument for a lawyer/ex state’s attorney to make.
I don’t think it is going to fly. How’d you like this guy as your President?
Christie gets schooled by judge
In January, attorneys for the state argued that Christie could not make full payments because the 2011 law was violated a debt limitation clause and an appropriations clause in the state constitution.
But in today’s ruling, Jacobson said Christie "now takes the unusual position in this court of claiming that this legislative contractual guarantee, which embodied significant reforms for which he took substantial credit with great national fanfare, violates the New Jersey constitution."
Jacobson also ruled that the state must reimburse the unions for legal costs.
It’s a shame that they can’t charge PIGnocchio with the legal fees, instead of the NJ taxpayers.
From USA Today: Rand Paul won a high-profile straw poll for a third straight year Saturday, capping an annual conservative conference at which delegates argued about how to turn their ideas into a presidential victory in 2016.
The Kentucky senator carried 25.7% in the Conservative Political Action Conference poll, while Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker finished second with 21.4% — a closer-than-expected tally in this early test of political strength among conservative Republican activists.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, finished third with 11.5%, followed closely by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson with 11.4%.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush — perhaps the most criticized candidate at this conservative conclave — finished fifth at 8.3%.
Other potential presidential candidates — including Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, and Rick Perry — had less than 4% in the straw poll. Paul also won CPAC contests in 2013 and 2014.
This about what I’d expect from CPUKE. What a foul collection od sold souls they are!
From Right Wing Watch:
An anti-abortion panel at CPAC this afternoon was clearly gunning for a spot on the main stage next year. Americans United for Life President Charmaine Yoest, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser, and Darla St. Martin, co-executive director of the National Right to Life Committee, made the case that their movement is winning and that they can fill a room with activists.
Dannenfelser started the discussion by declaring that "abortion-centered feminism is dead."
The three credited their carefully formulated, incremental strategy that has brought them a slew of state-level victories cutting back on abortion access and pushing narrowly-tailored abortion bans meant to push back on Roe v. Wade in the courts while winning public opinion to their side.
I think these dress wearing Republicans are unworthy to be called women.
Cartoon:
16 Responses to “Open Thread–3/1/2015”
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4:37, average up a second. Did I hear someone say, "OMG, they all look alike!" And if not, why not? Next week, one that's just a solid color.
Daily Kos – I wouldn't be surprised if he planned it to be unconstitutional, just so he could renege.
USA Today – They are all worse than each other. I do realize that is impossible in a universe in which parallel lines are infintely long and do not intersect, but I don't think that is the universe they live in. They might not understand the word "Boolean," being math challenged and all, but nevertheless that must be where they live.
RWW – I'm not sure what world these people live in. Not the one I live in. that's for sure.
Cartoon – They certainly captured the imagination of the world. My hero is still Giles Corey.
Pete Wilson lost in court that kind of shenanigan with public employee pensions.
Since CPAC results has never correlated with candidates voters actually support, should they even think they matter? Or are the gunning for the label of 21st century witch hunters?
A straw poll is just that, straws. Hopefully, they will put the worst of the lot up for the race in 2016. They would be easier to beat!
Having PIGnocchio for president is akin to suicide for the Dems! It would be like having an alcoholic, bulimic, and junkie for a president! He can’t make up his mind who he wants to screw over first!
Sold-out Souls is RIGHT!
3:43 Did I measure up on this puzzle?
2:57 I'd say you measured up Jerry, but I measured up better. Will Patty measure up better than all of us?
I had to get a new mouse and this is its maiden voyage so to speak. It is certainly more responsive than my old mouse.
3:33 Keep that mouse away from TC, Lynn.
Looks like he already has it!
See Today's Open Thread.
Daily Kos: If they had received the billions of dollars that Exxon probably would have been fined, they could afford to pay the pensions. And he wants to be our next President? Some body save us from him.
USA Today: A foul collection, indeed!
Right Wing Watch: I so agree with you, TC, they have no right to call themselves women when they betray the sisterhood of women with their actions.
Cartoon: And I bet the Republicans wish they could do that again, today. In a way they do, with their horrible war on women.
Puzzle — 2:57 I'd say you measured up Jerry, but I measured up better. Will Patty measure up better than all of us?
Daily Kos — He can't have it both ways. Just follow the money! I don't suppose we could get Pig Nuts, doing what she does so well, to assist Pignocchio!?
USA Today — A straw poll makes straw politicians, and they go up in flames really easily and fast. To paraphrase Shakespeare, these Republicanus/Teabaggerum are "Politicians most foul."
Right Wing Watch — My guess is that these persons will eventually get a spot on the main stage. After all, the right wing evangelical pseudo Christians will want to strengthen their position with votes.
Cartoon — Don't I wish that this read: 01 March 2015 the Republicanus/Teabaggerum Corruption, Bigotry and Stupidity Trials begin"
Amen!
TY TC – so sorry about your helper not turning up. It happens a lot to those dependent on help I think – well, it certainly does here. One awful week a few years ago none of three people supposed to turn up here bothered to do so – and didn't phone either – I felt invisible! Hope things improve.
Daily Kos ~ I have to believe this judge wasn't bought and will enforce the law. It's too bad the people of NJ were buffaloed once again by Pignocchio. His election was bought by the Kochs and EXON.
USA Today ~ Paul knows what to say to the Big Money. Hence, the wins 3 years in a row.
Media Matters ~ Maybe they aren't women???
Cartoon ~ They haven't stopped in the TeapublicanT world.
CPAC is the same-old tired negative rhetoric. There wasn't a new idea during the whole shebang.
Forget Rand Paul – I think the only Rethuglican who can claim to be a CPAC "winner" is Gov. Kasich (R-OH). And that's only because he chose to NOT attend.
Thanks all.