It's been a slow day part of which was spent at the dentist. Do you remember the Crest Toothpaste commercials where the kid runs into the house waiving what looks like a school report card and announces "Look mom, no cavities!"? Well that was me today. Actually, I haven't had any cavities in years. But I do get headaches from having my neck craned in awkward positions so the hygenist can do her work. I should have spent more time with the blog but instead, I spent time with my kids just relaxing. Tomorrow is a busy day with physio and then teaching.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:09 (average 4:24). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Short Takes
Mother Jones — The charges in the case stem from a scheme by Paul's 2012 campaign to pay then-Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson more than $70,000 to endorse Paul in the days before the Iowa caucuses in late 2011. Four of the charges against Benton were dropped when a judge ruled that prosecutors had improperly handled the indictments. Benton still faces a count of making false statements to prosecutors after he denied any knowledge of the alleged plan when they asked him about it last summer. Kesari faces six charges, including federal conspiracy and campaign finance charges. Prosecutors also say Kesari attempted to convince Sorenson to not tell investigators everything he knew.
Do you suppose that this trial, which does not directly affect Rand Paul at this point, could be why he said "I would throw everybody out, myself included" in a piece that was reported yesterday in Raw Story by Rachel Maddow?
Daily Kos — I don't think she can straighten out her act, she's been an embarrassment to the entire party for quite some time. It is definitely time for her to step down. … "The person who is supposed to be leading us is not leading us.” R.T. Rybak, DNC Vice Chair.
For the last while, I have seen reports of rumblings within the Democratic National Committee, and almost all of those rumblings involved Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the U.S. Representative for Florida's 23rd congressional district and the chair of the DNC. Are the rumblings "sour grapes" or is this an issue of a Democratic clown run amok? Whichever, the rumblings must be dealt with before the Republicans use them to derail the Democrats as they move towards the 2016 election.
Alternet — Over the last few years, Urban Outfitters has become known for three things (outside of carrying overpriced clothes that fall apart the first time you wash them): 1) Offending every possible marginalized group under the sun with apparel that features really tasteless messages; 2) allegedly stealing designs from up-and-coming artists and selling them as their own; and 3) having a president and CEO, Richard Hayne, who has given money to anti-gay marriage crusader Rick Santorum and other Republican politicians. Now the company is making news for its boldest action yet: asking employees to work for free!
How to look like you care when you don't. My guess is that it was suggested salaried employees get behind the company's plans to help out at the fulfillment centre on a weekend to build camaraderie and keep the orders flowing. Oh, did the company mention that this was on their own time? Having been in a very similar situation myself, it was made abundantly clear that not participating would be reflected on my performance review. How Republican: more profits for less overhead.
Huffington Post — Ken Taylor, whose role in the 1979 "Canadian Caper" made him a hero on both sides of the border for helping shelter six U.S. citizens at the height of the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, has died. He was 81.
"There were folks who didn't want to stick their necks out and the Canadians did,'' [Ben] Affleck told a Toronto International Film Festival press conference.
"They said, 'We'll risk ourselves, our diplomatic standing, our lives to harbour these six Americans that we owe nothing to and just because it's the moral, right thing to do.'''
I bring this to you because this is part of our shared history, Canada and the US. But for me, Ken Taylor represents an attitude that was previously prevalent in Canada, part of our national identity, that seems to have gone missing, especially under Harper. I want my Canada back! Thank you Ken Taylor, rest in peace.
My Universe —
Me an' my friends are gettin' ready for Hallowe'en!
11 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 16/10/2015”
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Love the Universe!
You're doing a great job keeping TomCat's site alive, Lynn, so don't you worry about taking it a fraction slower on some days. Your production rate is admirable.
Mother Jones: As Rand Paul is not only a 50% copy of his father Ron Paul genetically speaking, but more than 50% in political attitude and as it turns out for more than 50% in political backing, sponsoring and professional aide, this trial could well have repercussions for Paul junior. If Paul senior's top aides are found guilty, senior is guilty by proxy, and the prosecution will soon start digging into junior's campaign to see what the aides have been up to here. And yes, it's all the governments fault, they keep having these elections every four years, giving a father and his son no time to properly clean up the mess in between campaigns. Aw chucks.
Daily Kos: Is there a clown's virus in Capitol's water supply? Are the water fountains regularly checked on hygiene? It's alarming how signs of this virus are now found among the Democrats and their leaders.
Alternet: The term "new fulfillment center" had me confused for some time. I thought it was a special center for employees to learn about cooperation and teamwork, to bond with the company and feel connected to what it stands for. Turns out it's just a fancy name for the department of expedition. where all ordered clothes are picked, packed and shipped, and the bonding is supposed to happen while working there a 6 hour shift for free, and the teamwork is to materialize when you push your co-workers ino volunteering too.
And if employees don't lend a free hand in the busy month of October, they're probably told the company will take their expedition business to a cheaper state or country, the same as they've probably already have done for the manufacturing if clothes….
Huffington Post: I wasn't aware of the story of Ken Taylor, but on reading it, I'm sorry he died and with him the humanitarian attitude of Canadians of yesteryear. Let's hope Canada redeems this attitude by throwing out Harper and his cronies at the next elections. You can do it, Canada!
My Universe: Love the kitty in disguise. I needed a good hard look before I noticed it, LOL.
3:11 This sunflower looks to be much larger than the ones I grew this year.
AlterNet: What a gumption trap if I ever heard of one. The 'volunteers' should be paid overtime, or holiday time. This coldblooded CEO can well afford it.
HuffPo: Rest in Peace, Mr. Taylor, and Thank YOU!
My Universe: What a smart kitty! He blends right in.
Heard anything on TC? I pray that he is doing well, recuperating and well.
Thanks, Lynn. Have a great day.
4:39 (4:24) And it felt like it was going fast. So much for perception.
MoJo – Could be but seems unlikely to me that he is that savvy. Yes, I know he is highly educated, and you can't get his degrees without solid IQ, but EQ is something else and no Repub (and certainly no Libertarian) seems to have much.
DKos – I think everyone here knows I'm no fan of DWS, but it is for being too far right, too "centrist." Evidence for my position here http://www.thepetitionsite.com/123/480/093/where-are-you-trying-to-take-the-democratic-party/ The only other thing I know is that over the Florida Senate race, the "party" is behind Murphy, and she is supposed to have (said? suggested? wondered aloud about?) anti-Semitism, from which she quickly backed off.
Apparently the whole kerfuffle now is over Tulsi Gabbard? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/10/15/rep-tulsi-gabbard-the-democrat-that-republicans-love-and-the-dnc-cant-control/
I'm no fan of John Boehner either, but I'm not glad he's leaving, especially after McCarthy bailed. This could turn into our John Boehner moment. That would not be good.
Alternet – Yes, this is despicable of Urban Outfitters. Not that that is news.
HuffPo – Can't blame you. We all need more like that.
Universe – Now, that's a NICE costume. Unlike the dentist one.
Sun flower corner puzzle time; 5:22.
I rarely buy anything at Urban Outfitters but I do enjoy window shopping there. The things are interesting. My next real shop is going to be in the Muslim neighborhood because I would like some Indian bedspreads to cover my chairs. But cash is tight. My shingles vaccination was $235 dollars because I can't afford supplemental insurance and Medicare won't pay for it.
Is our cat coming home again?
Mother Jones: Rand and Ron Paul would both throw out anyone who got in their way.
DailyKos: I have received two petitions fro the DNC to throw out Debbi Wasserman Shultz. I didn't sign either, don't have enough information.
Alternet: Anyone who has ever worked as a salaried employee knows that was not really a request. Those who "volunteered" protected their jobs, those who didn't were in the dog house.
Huffington Post: Ken Taylor was a hero.
My Universe: All three are cuties.
Come on – Urban Outfitters is going to provide them with a FREE LUNCH!
I mean, we're talking a couple slices of at least day-old bread, some processed cheese of SOME type, pre-packaged bologna and mustard, along w/ a bag of stale chips. (You think they're going to spring for some Deli meats and cheeses? BWAHAHAHA!)
There's a one-word solution to this problem, and I'll spell it out for you:
U-N-I-O-N-S
Mother: Rand Paul, also known as Idiot, Son of Idiot, Named after Idiot, should simply bow out of the GOP/TP/Koch Party nomination race for POTUS quietly. Rand recently took money from his re-election senate race into his presidential race. It is a waste of money in a losing presidential campaign. Rand: If you are that tired, best thing you can do for yourself and for the people of Kentucky is to retire from politics.
KOS: Sounds like the old argument "He said…" "She said…"
Alternet: Boycott Urban Outfitters. Drive CEO, Richard Hayne, out of business.
Huff Po: Ken Taylor… An unsung hero during the for helping shelter six U.S. citizens at the height of the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis.
Universe: Where is that silly kittie…
The 3 front-runners should also bow out of the race.
I wish he would bow out in Kentucky, too!