For the next week I may be a bit scarce. I have a grocery delivery tomorrow from Safeway.com, because on Wednesday, I have to go out for an annual meeting, so expect only a Personal Update that day. Next Monday I shall be 39 for the 31st consecutive time, but Wendy works and I have a Urologist appointment, so on Sunday Wendy wants to celebrate with a surprise. In any case, please expect only Personal Updates both days.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 5:26 (average 8:31). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From YouTube (LWT Channel): Dalai Lama: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
I have to admire the Dalai Lama’s positivity toward the enemies of his people. I can’t imagine being that positive to the Fuhrer. RESIST!!
From CNN: About two-thirds of Americans say a special prosecutor should investigate contacts between Russians and Trump campaign associates, according to a new CNN/ORC poll, and 55% say they are at least somewhat concerned by reports that some connected to the Trump campaign had contact with suspected Russian operatives.
However, the steady stream of news about investigations into those contacts doesn’t appear to have affected President Donald Trump’s approval rating, which ticked up only one percentage point — 44% to 45% — from January.
Concerns about the reported contacts are closely tied to partisanship, with 71% of Democrats saying they are "very concerned" about it while 54% of Republicans say they have no concerns "at all" about the reports.
It boggles my mind that 29% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans are not concerned that Republican campaign officials were in contact with Russian intelligence operatives at the same time Russian intelligence were conspiring and interfering to influence our election on Trump’s behalf. It means that 29% of Democrats are idiots and 54% of Republicans are idiots, traitors or both. RESIST!!
From Daily Kos: With reports that unpopular orange-tinted President Donald Trump and Republicans plan on obliterating the EPA’s budget this coming year, many of the people who voted for him might be getting a rude awakening. States like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin enjoy the waters of the Great Lakes, and the EPA is one of those agencies that tries to ensure that those lakes can be enjoyable for generations to come.
The National Association of Clean Air Agencies confirmed for the Free Press late Thursday that an initial proposal from the White House Office of Management and Budget calls for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to be cut from $300 million a year to about $10 million.
[…]
If the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is targeted for such a drastic reduction — and it is by far the largest dollar cut on Davis’ partial list from the association’s data — it would decimate a program that has helped pay to restore wetlands and improve water quality across the Upper Midwest.
Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania — Great Lakes states that backed Trump in the election last year — have all received funding under the initiative, which many lawmakers of both parties in the region have steadfastly supported even when other Republicans have moved to reduce it.
Once again, it’s time for people, who voted for Trump to take the position to receive his thanks to you. Drop your pants, bend over, and grab your ankles. RESIST!!
Cartoon:
8 Responses to “Open Thread – 3/6/2017”
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8:27 Expect to see it again.
Groundwell and the Sikh Coalition are teaming to collect messages of support for targeted communities. https://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/when-hate-targets-our-neighbors-we-must-stand-together-in-solidarity
YT/LWT – The International Campaign for Tibet is still active and Richard Gere is still supporting it. I am on their email list. Yes, the Dalai Lama is – the word that leaps to mind is "sweet." I realize the word has been somewhat trivialized, but so have other words which represent combinations of goodness and attractiveness. As for self-immolation, I think I have already said that I never could understand it – until November 8, 2016. Now I understand it. I still wouldn't do it – but I understand it.
CNN – Well, that 71% is just "very concerned"; it doesn't include the "somewhat concerned." So some of that 29% are not idiots, just not terribly bright.
DKos – It was so hard to clean up the first time – and at that time, there were not so many species already endangered – I have to hope that at least some voices of reason will prevail here. And also hope that, if so, Trump doesn't get the credit for it.
Cartoon – Worst decision until Citizens United.
LOL Not terribly bright!!
YT: What a great video. When I read about the Dalai Lama I think of peace and love. Enjoyed the interview too. I would love to meet or see him. (and Dr. Temple Grandin)
CNN: The investigation should be a no-brainer, imho.
DK: Oh boy. Not good at all.
Cartoon: Such a sad story. One of millions too. "Peter Blow's sons, childhood friends of Scott, had helped pay Scott's legal fees through the years. After the Supreme Court's decision, the former master's sons purchased Scott and his wife and set them free. Dred Scott died nine months later." *pbs
Sound like you have a busy week. Hope you get a chance to rest in between. Take care, and Thanks, Tom.
YT/LWT: Marvelous!
CNN: This quote might explain the sitution with the sheeple who don't care, or who like the Schmuck a`lOrange- “It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into.” Jonathan Swift
DK: Dead-in -the -water-Schmucks a'lOranges!
Puzzle — 6:31 I am chained up!
Sorry. Too tired. Tomorrow.
Resist and Persist!!!
Nice to hear you're getting busy with annual meetings and celebrations, TomCat, because that's teh good way of being busy.
John Oliver: Nice to see him take on a topic other than Drumpf, even if the Dalai Lama transfered his demon over to him. Which may not be for his relationship with China, in so far he has any, but I can't wait until his demon gets hold of Drumpf again.
CNN: As an outsiders the way Americans think has boggled me up to a certain point, but in this case I don't think part of the French would react very differently if Marine le Pen (who has received money from Russia for her campaign) was elected President and more Russian interference in the election became apparant, nor would the Dutch if Geert Wilders (no known money ties) became PM with the help of Putin. It's all too shamefull, and some people just want it to go away and forget about it and not be confronted with their bad choice over and over again. It will only make them dig in their heels more.
DK: Anyone who think's rationally will also incorporate the future into their thinking, and will want to invest into it. But many Republican/Drumpf voters either live in an alertnate reality or live only and completely in the here and now, wanting things to go better for themselves right now. Many think only in terms of immediate gratification because they are poor, underprivileged or forgotten, others just because they're greedy and selfish. But it doesn't matter if it's out of necessity or greed, none have any regard for the future.
The trouble with these draconian cuts to EPA projects is that their dire effects are slow in the making for the average Drumpf voters, and will probably only affect their children and grandchildren later on, but is quick in financial reward for the 1%. So neither will learn from it and neither will se the need to invest in the future until it's too late.
RESIST & PERSIST!
I don't know what the big deal about Dred Scott is. After all, according to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Scott's folks weren't slaves – they were just "immigrants" who "had a dream". Why, it was easy to tell they were just immigrants:
</snark>
(I would really like to see Carson's medical license – because he's an IDIOT!)
Thanks all! Exhausted Hugs!!