China – Politics Plus

Open Thread March 16, 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:48 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 162024

Yesterday, I got very little done. Most of what I accomplished was clearing a way to the best seat to watch the actual television from – now that it’s working again. Escept that when it came time, the heavy snow we’ve has the last two days had mangled the signal so badly I couldn’t watch Fortunately , “Dead Man Walking” will be streamed through Passport – but the streams don’t start until the 19th. I was hoping not to have to wait. (I’ve already waited over 20 years just to hear it.) So, yes, this is skimpy. And i’ll have listened to Turandot and been grateful.

I missed “Pi Day,” so this is a bit late. And this parody is a bit over 8 minutes (about the same as the original IIRC) but it’s worth every second of your time that it takes. It’s upbeat, but it made me reach for a hanky It says, in a dfferent way, so much of what I have been feeling. (I even put it into my email signature.)

If you’ve been wondering why suddenly TikTok is neeing named in bills and voted on in the House, and now going to the Senate, this should make it pellucidly clear.

Video Thread 4/20/2023

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:07 pm Open Thread, Politics

Apr 202023

Glenn Kirschner – Dominion v Fox settles: Fox admits to election lies; pays 3/4 of a billion dollars. Justice? Hardly

CBS New York – 2 arrested for operating illegal police station for Chinese govt. in NYC

Ring of Fire – Trump Made $160 MILLION From Foreign Governments While President

Titus and Bradley – Nightly News with Bob Vale and Annie V

Cat Becomes Totally Obsessed With His ‘Dog Person’ Dad

Beau – Let’s talk about Biden, Ireland, mistakes, and context….

Video Thread 3/5/2023

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:01 pm Open Thread, Politics

Mar 052023

Glenn Kirschner – NY prosecutors talk with Kellyanne Conway about Trump’s hush money crimes; payoff of Stormy Daniels

MSNBC – Lawrence: Why were some FBI agents ‘inclined to believe Trump’?

Armageddon Update – Red States Vs. Blue States

Patrick Fitzgerald – Three Times a Failure

The Ginger Tabby Who Fell In Love With A Shredded Box

Beau – Let’s talk about China’s peace plan and Russia’s reaction….

Video Thread 2/25/2023

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:53 am Open Thread, Politics

Feb 252023

Glenn Kirschner – Special Counsel Jack Smith fights PROACTIVELY for Mike Pence’s testimony before the grand jury

The Lincoln Project – Responsible

Ring of Fire – Trump Will Reportedly Accept Subpoena From Proud Boys

Brent Terhune – National Divorce

Guy Rescues A Stray Cat Every Time He Leaves The House

Beau – Let’s talk about China aiding Russia….

Video Thread 2/20/2023

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:42 am Open Thread, Politics

Feb 202023

Glenn Kirschner – Will DA Fani Willis pursue a narrow, focused indictment or a sweeping RICO indictment of Trump & Co?

The Lincoln Project – Fox Lies

Robert Reich – How Long Will It Take to Actually Change The System?

Armageddon Update – Mike Pence Subpoenaed By John Wick’s Smarter Triathlete Brother, Jack Smith!

Meet the woodcutter who built his own Hobbit House (This a rescue story of a different kind)

Beau – Let’s talk about China, balloons, recovery, and briefings….

Video Thread 8/15/22

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:16 pm Open Thread, Politics

Aug 152022

Glenn Kirschner – Search warrant shows Trump’s classified documents crimes. It’s time to hold him accountable

Meidas Touch – BREAKING: Top Republicans lie and claim NUCLEAR SECRETS ‘planted at Mar-a-Lago’ and NOT A BIG DEAL

The Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican Party Augugt 9, 2022

No Dem Left Behind – The U.S. Economy is Doing Great Globally…

MSNBC – News from Mallory McMorrow – “What Happened In Kansas Is Going To Happen Here In Michigan.”

Beau – Let’s talk about China extending their exercises….

Open Thread August 6, 2022

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:18 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Aug 062022

Yesterday, my mechanic confirmed that the car won’t be ready till next week (which was certainly no surprise, but it’s nice to be clear.) I did a little dealing with things on my front porch so I can get more out there for the charity pickup scheduled for the 24th. There’s still a lot to move out there … but I got a start which will help considerably.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

Crooks & Liars – Keith Olbermann’s Countdown Is Back — As A Podcast
Quote – The premiere episode of Countdown With Keith Olbermann steals from a) all his other programs b) Beethoven and Bach and c) Peter Finch as Howard Beale in the film “Network” – only with Olber-Beale screaming “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take Trump any more!”
Click through for more information. I didn’t put this in the video thread because it’s an hour program (including some commercials, and sound only, and no CC that I could find), but I did listen, so you don’t have to, unless you want to. I know a number of people here do like Keith. He vents the same frustrations we all share.

Wonkette – Nancy Pelosi Goes To Taiwan, Uh Oh, That’s A Warrin’!
Quote – Wednesday, Pelosi, the first woman speaker, met with President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s first woman president (America continues to hang its head in shame). She noted that a group of (male) Congress members had visited Taiwan in April and cast some fierce shade on China’s current bluster. “They made a big fuss because I’m the speaker, I guess. I don’t know if that was a reason or an excuse,” she said. “Because they didn’t say anything when the men came.” ’Nuff said.
Click through for story. I used Wonkette’s take becuse I am ambivalent. I respect both Pelosi and Biden and don’t know enough about this aspect of foreign policy to try to secod-guess either of them. (I do know she did invite Republicans and was turned down.)

Food For Thought

Open Thread for November 26, 2021

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 7:21 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Nov 262021

Yesterday was, of course, Thanksgiving Day in the United States. I hope everyone had a wonderful day whether or not you are in the United States. Tomorrow, I will be going to see Virgil. I think I’m ready.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

The New Yorker – Could One Shot Kill the Flu?
Quote – For decades, scientists have dreamed of what some call a “universal” flu vaccine—one that could target many strains of the virus. A universal vaccine would save countless lives not just this year but every year; as those numbers add up, it would become one of the greatest medical breakthroughs in history. Until recently, it’s been beyond the reach of molecular biology. But new technologies are extending our abilities, and researchers are learning how to see through the flu’s disguises. Without knowing it, we’re living on the cusp of a remarkable scientific achievement. One of the world’s longest pandemics could soon be coming to an end.
Click through for complications. It’s not a certainty – but it is a possibiity -and that is progress. If you re paywalled out, feel free to email me and I’ll send a pdf.

Crooks and Liars – Justice For Ahmaud Arbery: ALL 3 Defendants Found GUILTY
Quote – The jury was not representative of the community, with 11 white and only 1 Black member, which was a concern that even the judge raised. They deliberated for roughly 10 hours and there was concern that this could be a Kyle Rittenhouse or George Zimmerman repeat. But JUSTICE PREVAILED.
Click through for details. I put up a tag Wednesday when this was announced, but I wanted to featureit also. It’s important.

The New Yorker – Peng Shuai and the High Stakes of Business in China
Quote – The post was up for about ten minutes before the state’s well-oiled machinery of censorship kicked into gear and took it down. Comments on Peng’s account were locked. Screenshots of her sixteen-hundred-word post, which were spreading, were scrubbed. Her name disappeared from Internet searches. Emojis and words related to the case did, too. For a while, even the word “tennis” was blocked. Behind the state’s erasure of Peng’s presence on the Chinese Internet was another urgent and troubling question: What would happen to her?
Click through for the story which is not at all simple. I never expected to be looking to “The Sporting Scene” for a short take, but pf coourse, she’s not the first sports woman, and will not be the last, whose life clashes in some way with authoritarian leadership.

Food for Thought –

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