Dec 222015
 

Sorry I am late once again.  I was almost finished when I did a face plant on my keyboard last night.  Busy day yesterday with physio and teaching.  Today I have my annual eye exam which is no big deal and then a very quick grocery shop.  I was invited for Christmas dinner on Thursday night so I must prepare my yams and apple casserole.

Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:11 (average 5:12). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes

Think Progress — This morning on MSNBC, Joe Scarborough asked Rick Santorum a simple question: What can we do to show the millions of peaceful Muslim Americans that they are valued and respected members of society?

Santorum rejected the question and said that onus was on every Muslim American to confront “the cancer within Islam.” Santorum said that “most Muslims” in America were shirking their duties to confront radicalism.

Co-host Mika Brzezinski had enough. “I’ll turn the argument around on you. Why aren’t you working on white men with guns?,” she asked.

Another Republican non answer!  Santorum has no idea of what he tries to speak

NY Times — Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina suspended his presidential campaign on Monday, saying he had concluded that “this is not my time,” while arguing that his mix of hawkishness on foreign policy and pragmatism on immigration and the economy had made a difference in the race.

The withdrawal came on the last day that Mr. Graham could remove his name from the South Carolina primary ballot, sparing him possible embarrassment in his home state given his paltry standing in the polls.

“The centerpiece of my campaign has been securing our nation,” Mr. Graham said in a YouTube video announcing his decision.

IMO, there should be a lot more Republican presendentials following Graham out the door.

Think Progress —  Just a few hours after congressional candidate John Oceguera announced he was terminating his lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association, the angry comments began flooding his inbox and Facebook page, calling him, among other slurs, a “pussy traitor,” “kool aid-drinking zombie,” and “libtard.”  …

“The NRA does a lot of good things, like with hunting safety, but they’ve just become so stringent and won’t compromise on any issue,” he said. “It’s like you can’t say anything about commonsense gun reform without people screaming, ‘You’re taking our guns!’ or ‘You’re an idiot’ or a lot worse than that. When I made this announcement, I became enemy number one. But do I really want to belong to an organization where I can’t have an opinion that’s just slightly different?”

Of the several stories I read about John Oceguera, this is the most comprehensive.  He certainly makes clear that common sense gun laws are required but that the NRA is not about to support such that bar mentally ill people and those on watchlists.  Personally, I hope that he is able to influence the national discussion on gun control.

CBC — The photo shows local resident Markus Siivola throwing hot tea into the air as he bends backwards. In the –40 C [-40 F] weather, the tea freezes as soon as it's tossed.

Photographer Michael H. Davies took this photo on the tundra outside Pangnirtung, Nunavut, a community of about 1,400 just a few kilometres south of the Arctic circle.

Check out the story for more fabulous pictures of the Arctic.  Having lived in an area of BC where the average winter temperature is -40 C, I can certainly relate and appreciate the beauty.

My Universe

giphy (25) (1)

"Hug me tighter human!"

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  6 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 21/12/2015”

  1. Congrats on your invitation.

    3:38

    Right on Mika!  See my lead today.

    Good riddance!!

    See today's cartoon.

    Coffee too?

    Happiness is a hugged puddy tat!!

  2. I'm glad RS was not given a slide for avoiding answering the question and pushed for consistency of accountability principles in his answers.

    Graham may be honoring the good of his party.

    It feels like the NRA has grown too much power for its britches.

    Love the tea and kitty.

  3. Mika moves up from totally useless to just mostly useless.

    I'll give Graham credit for at least one quote from a few weeks bac:

    “On our side, you’ve got the No. 2 guy tried to kill someone at 14 and the No. 1 is high energy and crazy as hell.  How am I losing to these people?”

    — Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), in an interview on Morning Joe.

    Gorgeous photo!

    Trying to figure out if -40 is the only temperature where both F & C are the same value.

  4. 6:33   I don't think it took me that long last year, but maybe my mouse wasn't as recalcitrant last year.

    Brzezinski – I got into a conversation on AlterNet yesterday in which someone quoted an article by a Muslim that said essentially any Muslim who isn't calling out Muslims isn't even a good Muslim.  I'm sorry, how loud do they have to be?  Anyone who can't hear them is not paying attention.  But I also pointed out that, if that is true, no one is a good Christian who isn't calling out every white terrorist loudly and shrilly.  I do not plan to hold my breath until this happens.

    Graham did the right thing but it's too bad.  He has a few shreds of sanity.

    Think Progress – Sure hope he wins his election.  He is far from alone, actually.  I hear a whole contingent of ex-NRA-members-still-gun-owners met with a group in the White House with some advice.  Of course if gun people don't take the lead, and gun control reform is passed, and they don't like it (and they won't), they will have only themselves to blame.  But there may be another Civil War, which will hurt everyone.

    CBC – It got to -40F the first few years I was in Alamosa.  I can't even imagine -40C.  But look out for the trolls claiming this disproves climate change.

    Universe – Archie used to be that way with me.  Another kitty I truly miss.

  5. Glad to see Santorum called on his BS!

    Lindsey Graham, although not my cup of tea, is just the most recent victim of right wing idiocy!

    John Oceguera went from "One of us!" to "Liberal Monster, SOB" faster than anything but light!  About those putting him down, "You can't argue with stupid!"

  6. LS: A keyboard face plant… What's that…? lol. We've all, at one time and another, have had that experience. 

    Think Progress 1: "Morning Joe Show" with Joe Scarborough had an interesting question for Rick Santorum. His response on white men with guns revolved 
    around family values. Rick keeps on plugging for the same tired argument of the importance of a normal family and its values. Rick has had the spotlight on him in the past but he has shown that he has out-lived his status for the office of POTUS. Rick needs to get out of the political limelight permanently. 

    Normally, I don't pay any attention to the Morning Joe Show as it is a right-wing newscast. Unfortunately, MSNBC has expanded his show and cutting down on progressive newscasts. Most likely as it was done on the behest of the Koch Bros. and big money influences. 

    NY Times: Glad that Lindsey Graham is out of the race. He has shown to the public that he is hawk and wants war with boots on the ground. He also wants Bush back as President! Yep, I'll support Lindsey, providing he leads the charge, on the front line, with his own boots on the ground and face-to-face with the enemy. lol. Graham has shown some good moments but, overall, he is not a viable candidate to represent USA to the world. 

    None of the people running for POTUS from the field of GOP candidates for nomination are suitable. None! 

    Think Progress 2:  Congressional candidate John Oceguera came right out as against the NRA during his ongoing campaign. A very brave individual and running for office has stirred up the voters in his state and elsewhere with hate mails. At least John is open and forthcoming on his decision to leave the NRA. His stance on marijuana laws have also been upfront and as to why. 

    As for the NRA, it needs to be shot down several pegs. The NRA should be labeled as a terrorist organization. 

    CBC: Awesome photo! 

    Universe: Can't get enough lovin'. lol. 

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