Open Thread–6/19/2013

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jun 192013
 

I’m writing early, and tomorrow will be day five.  I’m having trouble with irritation with patches.  I scratched one off in the middle of the night and woke up craving.  Grrr!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:36 (average 4:14).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Fantasy Football:

I OOPSED!! We filled three out of five spots for our fantasy football league.  For more information about the last two spots, check Monday’s article.

Short Takes:

From NJ.com: Two liberal groups say they’ve found a “smoking gun” in a century-old state law that could force Gov. Chris Christie to schedule the general election in November.

New Jersey Citizen Action and New Jersey Communities United in a brief today, told the state Supreme Court today that the state’s 1915 law on filling U.S. Senate vacancies said that unless the vacancy occurred shortly before the next general election, it should be filled at the closest general election.

The purpose, according to drafters of the original law, was to “avoid the expenses of special elections for United States Senators and Congressmen.”…

I would love to see it, because, if both the Senate vote, and the General Election are combined, as they should be, turnout for Booker will assist down-ballot Democrats, and that's exactly what Christy want's to spend $12+ million of NJ taxpayer's money to avoid.

From MSNBC: Is Miss Utah planning a career in Congress?

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

She had her talking points, and she was bound and determined to stick with them regardless of the question asked. It's sad to see such goose-stepping at such a young age. That she comes from a Red State was quite apparent, because her opinion trumped her intellect.

From Alternet: Bank of America’s mortgage servicing unit systematically lied to homeowners, fraudulently denied loan modifications, and paid their staff bonuses for deliberately pushing people into foreclosure: Yes, these allegations were suspected by any homeowner who ever had to deal with the bank to try to get a loan modification – but now they come from six former employees and one contractor, whose  sworn statements were added last week to a civil lawsuit filed in federal court in Massachusetts.

“Bank of America’s practice is to string homeowners along with no apparent intention of providing the permanent loan modifications it promises,” said Erika Brown, one of the former employees. The damning evidence would spur a series of criminal investigations of BofA executives, if we still had a rule of law in this country for Wall Street banks… [emphasis added]

Click through for the rest of this highly enlightening article. BofA employees were told to lie to customers to trick them into foreclosure. Bring on the DOJ!

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Open Thread–6/12/2013

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jun 122013
 

I’m writing early again.  Yesterday my Chantix dose doubled for the first time, and today, instead of sleeping heavily, I find myself unable to sleep at all, so I’m not sure how this is going to play out tonight.

Fortunately I slept a few hours during the evening.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:41 (average 4:59).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In the event that the U.S. government is monitoring your conversations, here are some useful phrases to insert into your phone calls, texts, or e-mails:

I think the N.S.A. is awesome.

I just reread “Nineteen Eighty-Four”—it actually has a lot of good ideas in it!

There’s no such thing as a “bad” drone.

Given the people Obama should have never appointed to run the NSA and CIA, how about this one?

I sure miss GW Bush.

From Think Progress: There has been mounting concern over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s mandatory furloughs of National Weather Service employees amidst increasingly severe weather. As a result, NOAA has reportedly submitted a plan to Congress that would restore the jobs at the expense of its weather satellites.

This ‘pay one debt to incur another’ plan is the result of budget cuts mandated by sequestration, which severely threaten the agency’s ability to carry out its key mission by slashing $271 million from its 2013 budget, including a $50 million cut in its geostationary weather satellite program.

After the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma and Missouri and in preparation for what’s predicted to be an extremely active hurricane season, NOAA’s acting administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan announced last week that the agency was cancelling its mandatory furloughs, but provided no details on how it would be offset.

The solution, of course, is to cut neither NOAA satellites nor NOAA employees, but to cut Republican mandated welfare for the 1%.

From Washington Post: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) wants to strengthen requirements in a sweeping immigration bill that mandate that illegal immigrants learn English before earning permanent U.S. residency.

Under the current bill, immigrants would have to earn English proficiency or show they are enrolled in a language course. Rubio, a member of the bipartisan group that developed the legislation, plans to offer an amendment that would eliminate the second provision and require that undocumented immigrants be able to read, write and speak English before earning a green card.

The Senate bill allows undocumented immigrants to apply for a green card after 10 years and then apply for citizenship three years later.

Rubio is for Latinos what Clarence Thomas is for blacks.

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Open Thread–6/11/2013

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jun 112013
 

I’m starting to like researching and writing earlier in the day enough that I just may make a habit of it.  I’m a little down today, because tomorrow is a volunteer day in prison, and I’m not quite up to ii yet.  I miss working to help my guys.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:12 (average 5:26).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: The National Security Agency moved swiftly and forcefully today to remind its employees of its longstanding zero-tolerance policy on conscience, warning that any violation of that policy would result in immediate termination.

“When you sign on to work at the N.S.A. you swear to uphold the standards of amorality and soullessness that this agency was founded upon,” said N.S.A. director General Keith B. Alexander. “Any evidence of ethics, decency, or a sense of right and wrong will not be tolerated. These things have no place in the intelligence community.”

To enforce the policy, General Alexander said that once a month all N.S.A. employees will be wired to a computer to take full inventory of what is going on in their minds: “We want to be sure they are spending their free time playing Call of Duty, not reading the Federalist Papers.”

This may be satire, but the thinking behind it is far too accurate for my comfort.

From Crooks and Liars: Mary Matalin, a Republican strategist and former advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney, on Sunday dismissed newly-appointed National Security Advisor Susan Rice as President Barack Obama’s "presidential pet."

 

Leave it to a mouthpiece for ChickenHawk Cheney to dehumanize a distinguished civil servant. Matalin would not have referred to Rice as a "pet" had she been white. Only on Faux Noise.

From Mother Jones: Less than half of Americans living with mental illness receive the treatment they need—a failure that lands large numbers of mentally ill people in jails, emergency rooms, and on the streets. One provision of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, a.k.a Obamacare, would help fix the problem. Under the law, states will get hundreds of billions in federal money over the next ten years to provide health care to 2.7 million poor mentally ill people who are currently uninsured. But 17 states—including some states with among the worst mental-health programs in the country—are rejecting these funds.

Click through to see the map. I don’t have to tell you which political party controls the states that are refusing federally funded help for their mentally ill citizens, putting both them and others at risk.

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Open Thread–6/1/2013

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jun 012013
 

Yesterday there seemed to be an unwritten law: TC will get no sleep.  My plan was to catch up on sleep, but every time I fell asleep, I was awakened by a UPS delivery, an unexpected visit from a volunteer, a telephone call from my podiatrist to remind me of my appointment Monday, a phone call from my O2 provider to schedule an oxygen saturation test, and the list goes on.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

today’s took me 3:13 (average 4:19).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Republicans are doing their best to persuade Americans that the Affordable Care Act will drive health insurance premiums so high that consumers will experience “rate shock.” That fear-provoking tale seems much less credible now that the rates proposed by health insurers for individual coverage on the new health care exchanges have been made public in several states. For the most part, the premiums will increase only slightly or even decrease for individuals and family coverage on the exchanges, electronic marketplaces in which consumers choose among a variety of plans with differing benefits and costs.

The reported rates are in states that have elected to run their own exchanges, which are set to start enrolling people in October for coverage that begins in January 2014. Many states with Republican governors have refused to set up exchanges and have left that task to the Obama administration. In 19 states where the exchanges will be entirely run by the federal government, more health insurance companies are entering the markets and injecting competition that should help hold down costs, the administration said on Thursday. Premiums are subject to many competing pressures, but, in several states, competition appears to be offsetting factors that might push rates up.

In California, officials announced last week that 13 insurers were awarded contracts to sell policies on the state’s health care exchanges next year. The companies submitted bids, which came in much lower than virtually all experts and actuaries had forecast…

When Republicans first started making this claim, before ObamaCare had even become the law, largely because of two things. First companies have to submit bids and be accepted to even offer their products on an exchange, replacing collusion with competition. And second companies are required to spend 80% of premiums collected on benefits. These pluses for US customers make Republicans all the more frantic to spread lies about ObamaCare.

From The New Yorker: In the latest scandal to rock the Obama Administration, a leading Republican congressman accused the President today of using his position to obtain free government housing for himself and his family.

According to Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), Mr. Obama “has arrogantly exploited the office of President to gain access to a fifty-five-thousand-square-foot residence that could double as a museum.”

“While the average American is struggling to pay his bills, President Obama is living in a luxury home, adorned with priceless paintings and antiques as far as the eye can see,” Rep. Ryan alleged.

Additionally, the Wisconsin congressman said, the President has availed himself of “sumptuous free meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all on the taxpayer’s nickel.”…

Dang! I’m sure no white Republican President would even dream of committing such a vile act! ;-)

From YouTube: Bill Maher – New Rules – 5/31/2013

 

Despite the obvious irreverent hilarity, he made an excellent point about the failure of Democrats to embrace a natural issue for us. After over 30 years, I have no desire to start using it again, but I see it as a nonviolent activity that could become a valuable source of tax revenue instead of a harmful distraction to law enforcement and a far too expensive contributor to the shameful condition that the US incarcerates the highest percentage of our citizens in the world.

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Open Thread–5/23/2013

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 232013
 

Yesterday I got some rest so I have another article for you today.  I’m still on light duty, but hope to gain strength as time goes on.  I am disappointed, because today is a prison volunteer day, and I’m not up to it yet.  Have a fantastic day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:46 (average 4:54).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Raw Story: Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) on Friday declared that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would have murdered the participants of the original 1773 Boston Tea Party and and would have “killed off” half of the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence.

In a 30-minute floor speech to express his outrage over a report in The Daily Caller [propaganda delinked] that said the Department of Homeland Security was “protecting the free speech rights of pro-Shariah Muslim supremacists,” Gohmert noted that President Barack Obama’s administration had a number of other problems like the recent news that the IRS had scrutinized the tax-exempt status of tea party and other conservative groups.

“Homeland Security has had reports warning their employees about the dangers of people that may be involved in such heinous activity as being classified as evangelical Christians or as being concerned about the Constitution and that people should be following the Constitution, and concerned about people who may have tea party in their name,” he explained…

On the other hand, had Gohmert been alive in 1776, he would have been in an asylum. That he is in Congress, instead of an asylum, today, if there is a difference, is a sad commentary on American voters.

From The New Yorker: In a dramatic departure from existing White House procedures, President Obama requested today that his staff start cc’ing him on stuff.

“Look, I know a lot of you think I’m really busy and you don’t want to bother me,” the President reportedly told his staff in an Oval Office meeting. “But cc me anyway. It’s good for me to keep up on what’s going on around here.”

“It’s not good when I turn on the news and they’re talking about something at the White House and I’m like, whoa, when did that happen?” Mr. Obama added. “I think cc’ing me would go a long way toward fixing that.”

“Maybe put a Post-It note on your computer saying, ‘CC POTUS,’ so you don’t forget,” he said as the meeting broke up…

Humor aside, I do think it would behoove Obama to be a bit more inclined to direct his staff, instead of his tendency to allow them complete independence.

From NY Times: Throughout months of Republican “investigation” into the tragedy in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 last year, the Central Intelligence Agency has escaped the scrutiny and partisan bashing aimed at the State Department and the White House. But we now know that the C.I.A., and not the State Department or the White House, originated the talking points that Republicans (wrongly) insisted were proof of a scandal. It was more central to the American presence in Benghazi than the State Department, and more responsible for security there.

The C.I.A.’s role needs to be examined to understand what happened and how to better protect Americans…

I fully agree, but understand that Republicans have a supremely important reason for ignoring the CIA and focusing on the State Department. Hillary is not in charge of the CIA.

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Open Thread–5/22/2013

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
May 222013
 

This will be today’s only article, because I had a rough day yesterday.  I wracked up my leg again by stumbling and catching myself on it the wrong way, and the pain interfered with my rest.  So I think I’d better not push myself at this point.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:12 ( average 4:45).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a broad overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws on a bipartisan vote, sending the most significant immigration policy changes in decades to the full Senate, where the debate is expected to begin next month.

The 13-to-5 vote came as the committee reached a deal on one of the final snags threatening the legislation — and agreed to hold off on a particularly politically charged amendment, which would have added protections for same-sex couples.

After intense behind-the-scenes negotiations, Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, struck an agreement with the group of eight senators who drafted the original bill to address his concerns about visas for skilled foreign workers who could fill jobs in the high-tech industry…

It is truly sad that the only way to get this bill past Committee Republicans had to include a hate offering and a greed offering. Gay couples should have the right to apply fore green cards for their spouses. American workers will take big pay cuts or lose their jobs to foreign skilled workers, but there will be no savings for US consumers, just more profit for the 1%. Nevertheless, in spite of all its flaws, it is the most significant step toward immigration reform in a generation.

From The New Yorker: President Obama’s handling of controversies about the I.R.S., the Justice Department, and Benghazi has raised “grave doubts” about his ability to cope if he ever became involved in an actual scandal, prominent Republicans said today.

“If this is how he handles this stuff, Lord have mercy on him if he ever has to deal with a real scandal,” said newly elected Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S. Carolina). “Quite frankly, I don’t think he has what it takes.”

“The true test of a leader is this,” Rep. Sanford added. “When he gets in a fix, does he have the presence of mind to lie about his whereabouts? Sadly, I don’t think President Obama passes that test.”

Mr. Sanford’s concerns mirror those of another leading Republican lawmaker, Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana).

Perhaps Trail Walker and Diaper Dave should head up a new federal agency: the Department of Adultery.

From The Nation: Here are just five examples of bogus 501(c)(4) groups that deserve more scrutiny under the law:

The American Action Network is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit run by corporate lobbyists like Vin Weber (of Sallie Mae) and Tom Reynolds (of Goldman Sachs)…

…The Commission on Hope, Growth and Opportunity is a 501(c)(4) organization reportedly set up by lobbyist Scott Reed…

…The American Justice Partnership is a 501(c)(4) group run in part by Republican consultants Dan Pero and Cleta Mitchell…

…The American Future Fund is a 501(c)(4) group set up by a number of Republican operatives, and has aired millions of dollars in attack ads against President Obama and Democratic candidates for Congress…

…The 60 Plus Association is a front group designed by Republican operatives to appeal to senior citizens…

…It’s clear why these Republican operatives used 501(c)(4) organizations as tools to move millions in political money. Big publicly traded corporations have been eager to exploit the Citizens United decision but have avoided Super PACs because Super PACs face regular disclosure requirements. 501(c)(4) never have to disclose donors. For instance, health insurer Aetna accidentally revealed that it had provided $3 million to the American Action Network, a fact the company apparently wanted to keep secret…

Click through for much more, including the details of how these Republican groups are using anonymous donations to fund political activity illegally. Where there are Democratic organizations that do so as well, the extent of Democratic crime does not begin to compare with Republican.

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Open Thread–4/21/2013

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Apr 212013
 

Sadly the spring pollen is still playing hell with my COPD, and I am spending the days coughing up very thick phlegm, which keeps me from sleeping.

Jog Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:42 (average 4:40).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: In a sweeping format change that marks the end of an era for the nation’s first cable news outlet, CNN announced today that it would no longer air breaking news and would instead re-run news stories of the past “that we know we got right.”

The rebranded network, to début nationwide on Monday, will be called “CNN Classic.”

“Breaking news is hard,” said the newly installed CNN chief, Jeff Zucker. “You have to talk to sources, make sure their stories check out O.K., and then get on the air and not say anything stupid. I, for one, am thrilled to be getting out of that horrible business.”

Perhaps, if they go back to the early 1990s, they can find a few things they got right.

From Right Wing Watch: On his radio broadcast today, Bryan Fischer renewed his call for a ban on immigration from majority Muslim nations, claiming that our immigration policy should simply consist of the question "do you believe that the Quran is the holy book of God"?

 

Authentic Muslims do not take those obscure references seriously, just as authentic Christians go not believe in executing people who shave, as the Bible demands.

Nevertheless, Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians always scream about their rights and their freedoms, but want to deny them to Muslims.

From Think Progress:

As police surrounded Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Friday night, Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) mocked the deadly situation with a joke about global warming. Stockman, notorious for making tasteless jokes about LGBT issues, abortion and gun control, and President Obama, tweeted the following at 8:08 PM:

“Suspect thought he could escape in backyard boat after hearing Gore speak on global warming.” — Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX)

Sadly, this Republican fool thinks that both terrorism and destroying the planet are laughing matters.

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