Georgia – Politics Plus

Open Thread March 14, 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:55 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 142024

Yesterday, I really did not want to get up. It might be the fault of the weather. Today and tomorrow, snow is heavily predicted, starting at 2 am today and going steadily through about 10 Friday morning. We do need the water so I can’t really complain -though the watersheds are where we need it most, and they are at much higher elevations than Iam.

I may be one of the last remaining Americans who actually like Merrick Garland. When I see articles all over Democratic sites blaming him, for example, for Jan 6 rioters getting short sentences (judges do that – not even the same branch of government) or dragging his feet (I do admit to someone not involed in criminal law that it looks like that, primarily because he committed so many of his criomes in broad daylight and plain sight), I find it refreshing to see a different opinion. Especially from someone such as Marcy Wheeler, who has credentials and a solid reputation. The first link takes you to the her main argument, and the second, at her own blog, supplements the first somewhat.

Kerry Eleveld, who is on the staff at Daily Kos, analyzes the shifts in polling produced by the quality of Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. It’s good news.

I’m slipping this in today because I don’t want people to be needlesslay alarmed. (Alarmed is fine if it’s needed.) Wonkette’s style is frivolous butI think handles the story well.

Open Thread February 17, 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:52 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 172024

Yesterday, a news alert from Axios alleged that Alex Navalny has died. Their source is the Russian Prison System, which I would not trust to be truuthful, but it’s also hard to believe it didn’t happen earlier. R.I.P. Alexei. Avaaz is collecting signatures for a tribute to him. Also we had a “mass shooting” here of our own – a little different in that it appears to have happened inside a dorm, during the might, and so far not much evidence – except two dead people with gunshot wounds.

Mary watched Fani Willis’s entire testimony (I only had time for a few clips) and this summary-through-categorized-excerpts is brilliant.

This is not nearly as much fun … but it’s likely to have a more direct effect on all of us. Sigh.

Open Thread February 8, 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:26 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 082024

Yesterday, I read more about the actions of Al Green (D-TX) – leaving the hospital on a gurney soon after surgery, going to the Capitol, resting in a room prepared for him by fellow Democrats, then arriving on the floor in a wheelchair, wearing scrubs, to cast the deciding vote to kill the proposed Mayorkas impeachment. Congratulations to TX in generl and Pat B in particular (though not in his district) in having sent such representation to the House.

We already went over this beheading, but I wanted to share this article which makes the case that, even though the dude was obviously nuttier than a fruitcake, that does not necessarily mean that MAGA was not involved, if only in validating his crazy. It’s a good point. If you don’t know the real reasons behind something, you’re not going to succeed at alleviating it.

And speaking of beheadings – I don’t suppose this one was intended, but it was damnably irresponsible. And what appears to be an attempted coverup is even worse.

Open Thread January 27, 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:20 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 272024

Yesterday, I didn’t have to prepare for today’s opera – it’s “Carmen” by George Bizet. I’ve heard it a lot of times and seen it several times as well. For one production, I played second violin in the pit orchestra. All the string parts are extremely difficult, mostly because Bizet liked to run very fast scales starting in the basses and running all the way up to the first violins umpteenth position, and then back down again just as fast. I did my best (which wasn’t very good). But even then, I can’t say it was a bad production. There may not be such a thing as a really bad production of Carmen. And today’s radio cast is outstanding. Now, next week will be another story.

This certainly doesn’t surprise me. We have simply got to stop believing everything a Republican presents as fact. They just make things up.

I know there are many Democrats who think that, like Manchin, Jon Tester (D-MT) is useless other than for keeping our Senate majority (which is oretty thin.) I would invite all of those Dems to read at least parts of this article about two Republicans, one of whom will be in the Senate if Tester loses his reelection bid. Sheehy is the crazier of the two, but Rosendale is close behind.

By now everyone will have heard this, because it is, to quote the article’s headline, “a big non-fracking deal.” And it certainly took climate experts by surprise. Bill McKibben said, “[I]f it’s true, and I think it is, this is the biggest thing a U.S. president has ever done to stand up to the fossil fuel industry.”

Open Thread January 23, 2024

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 232024

Yesterday, I got an update from Carrie. Barry ended up losing parts (only) of two toes. The surgery went well and he was home by late afternoon. He goes back to the doctor Wednesday for evaluation and a dressig change, and after that the dressing changes will be handled by home health care. She also said Barry has been in a great mood (no, she didn’t mention whether the anesthetic used was nitrous oxide, and I would certainly doubt it – I’m just being silly to even bring it up) which is good, particularly since Barry has also been having some cognitive issues, which is always worrying.

Maybe I’m seeing this through rose-colored glasses (though I told my optician “no tinted lenses,” I was ignored.) After all, “Cognitive dissonance” is one of Republicans’ many middle names. But it appears to me that this ruling is good news as the Court takes up Loper Bright v. Raimondo, since that also is a Feds v. lower levels case which the Feds need to win lest we lose a host of protections. At least I’m sure lawyers for the federal government will not miss the connection.

You all have probably seen more about the issue about Fani Willis than I have (especially since I’ve been mostly avoiding stories due to the dearth of facts.) This article still has a dearth of facts regarding what, if anything, happened, but it has plenty of legal facts to bring to bear. It was Robert Hubbell on Substack who refereed the article, and this quote from him is not a bad summation: “Do I wish the allegations were not made or had no basis? Sure! But Willis is legally entitled to continue with the prosecution—and she should.”

And you may find this obituary elsewhere. But elsewhere, it may not be this comprehensive.

Video Thread 10/20/23

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 11:51 am Open Thread, Politics

Oct 202023

Glenn Kirschner – At his NY fraud trial, Trump sits quietly in court then, during breaks, steps to the cameras & LIES!

The Lincoln Project – Faith

Thom Hartmann – To Stay In Power These Politicians Will Take Away This Fundamental Right…

John Fugelsang – Breaking News: The Trump China Tapes! (a tribute to a certain comedy duo)

Teenager Sneaks Lost Puppy Into His House When His Parents Fall Asleep

Beau – Let’s talk about Rudy’s trouble in Georgia….

Video Thread 10/19/23

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 12:02 pm Open Thread, Politics

Oct 192023

Glenn Kirschner – Did Donald Trump ALREADY violate Judge Chutkan’s gag order? The answer might surprise you.

The Lincoln Project – Last Week in the Republican – October 17, 2023

Robert Reich – From Robber Barons to Bezos: Is History Repeating Itself?

Puppet Regime – Vladimir Putin travels time, everything is fine! | P

Rescuers Search Everywhere For Mother Of Kittens Found In Sewer

Beau – Let’s talk about surprising witness in the Georgia case….

Video Thread 10/13/2023

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

Oct 132023

Glenn Kirschner – DA Willis says Jim Jordan is “abusing” his authority & “obstructing” her RICO prosecution of Trump

The Lincoln Project – Good Night America – very soft, and no CC, so here’s transcript:
Mom: Hey, honey –
Child: what, mommy?
M: You asked me to wake you up to tell you the results of the election
C: Who won?
M: Trump. Trump won.
C: You said he could only be President two times.
M: (Whisper) Not any more
Mob chanting: I can’t make it out. It sounds to me like M-R-U or N-R-U but I can’t make sense of that.

Ring of Fire – Furious Sean Hannity Delivers Most Ironic Rant Ever On Fox News

Patrick Fitzgerald – The Longest Time (Donald Trump / Billy Joel Song Parody)

Bunny Thumps At Mom When He’s Mad

Beau – Let’s talk about an update and what we know….

Older Entries

BIG Mouth Awards

Every 1,000th Comment
20 – Infidel – 7/6/2011
21 – SoINeedAName – 7/25/2011
22 – SoINeedAName – 8/17/2011
23 – Maria – 9/7/2011
24 – Phyllis – 9/29/2011
25 – Tom – 10/22/2011
26 – Lynn Squance – 11/25/2011
27 – Deborah – 12/29/2011
28 – Patty – 1/19/2012
29 – Lynn Squance – 2/8/2012
30 – Jolly Roger – 3/8/2012
31 – Patty – 5/4/2012
32 – Marva Dasef – 6/8/2012
33 – Patty – 7/8//2012
34 – Edith Belcher – 8/12//2012
35 – Patty – 9/17/2012
36 – Tasunka – 10/12/2012
37 – Lynn Squance – 11/6/2012
38 – SoINeedAName – 11/29/2012
39 – Lynn Squance – 1/11/2013
40 – Lynn Squance – 2/17/2013
41 – Patty – 3/23/2013
42 – Edith Belcher – 5/29/2013
43 – Jim Phillips – 6/29/2013
44 – Patty – 7/27/2013
45- Lynn Squance – 8/21/2013
46 – Rixar13 – 9/12/2013
47 – Rixar13 – 10/4/2013
48- Lynn Squance – 10/25/2013
49 – Patty – 11/27/2013
50 – Lynn Squance – 1/13/2014
51 – Patty – 3/7/2014
52 – Yvonne White – 4/16/2014
53 – Edie – 5/20/2014
54 – Jerry Critter – 6/23/2014
55 – Lynn Squance – 7/29/2014
56 – Joanne D – 9/5/2014
57 – Patty – 10/19/2014
58 – Arielle – 11/16/2014
59 – Pat A – 12/26/2014
60 – SoINeedAName – 1/24/2015
61 – Lynn Squance – 2/18/2015
62 – Joanne D – 3/21/2015
63 – Vivian B – 4/23/2015
64 – Joanne D – 5/23/2015
65 – Yvonne White – 6/22/2015
66 – SoINeedAName – 7/16/2015
67 – Lona Goudswaard – 8/6/2015
68 – Mamabear – 8/25/2015
72 – Judi Angell – 11/27/2015
74 – Judi Angell – 1/18/2016
75 – Jerry Critter – 1/2/2016
76 – Lona Goudswaard – 3/11/2016
77 – Lona Goudswaard – 4/4/2016
78 – Pat B – 5/5/2016
79 – Mitch D – 6/5/2016
80 – Joanne D – 7/3/2016
81 – Lona Goudswaard – 7/30/2016
82 – Mitch D – 9/2/2016
83 – Joanne D – 10/6/2016
84 – Pat A – 11/10/2016
85 – Pat B – 12/11/2016
86 – Pat A – 1/14/2017
87 – Lynn Squance – 2/18/2017
88 – Vivian Birdwell – 4/5/2017
89 – Vivian Birdwell – 5/16/2017
90 – Lona Goudswaard – 6/23/2017
91 – SoINeedAName – 7/30/2017
92 – Joanne D – 9/4/2017
93 – Pat B – 10/12/2017
94 – SoINeedAName – 11/20/2017
95 – Jerry Critter – 12/31/2017
96 – Joanne D – 2/12/2018
97 – Pat B – 3/27/2018
98 – Richard A – 5/5/2018
99 – Lynn Squance – 6/12/2018
100 – Mitch D – 7/20/2018
101 – Pat B – 8/30/2018
102 – Pat B – 10/5/2018
103 – Joanne D – 11/9/2018
104 – Animae – 12/18/2018
105 – Animae – 1/25/2019
106 – Colleen – 3/2/2019
107 – Joanne D – 4/11/2019
108 – Animae – 6/1/2019
109 – Pat B – 8/9/2019
110- Angelflowers – 09/20/2019
111 – Colleen – 11/5/2019
112 – Pat B – 12/25/2019
113 – None – My Bad
114 – Pat B – 3/24/2020
115 – Freya – 5/24/2020
116 – JL – 7/4/2020
117 – Colleen – 8/13/2020