Oct 112023
 

Yesterday, I had calmed down some and thought maybe I was cool enough to address the Middle East war – though still not in my own words. I’m going to give you three articles without comment. One of them appears to be on Substack – it doesn’t exactly say so, but the quote function it uses looks like Substack’s. At least the clicking to continue is not too onerous – certainly less so than YouTube has become. While I was putting it together, my keyboard – um -started pining for the fjords -I tried new batteries, but no luck. So I’ll be getting a new one. I may be able to find a corded one I can use as a temp. The on-screen one is not that much slower, but it obscures part of the screen.   Update – I found it.  It’s laid out a bit funny but it works.  And as a postscript – George Santos was hit with 23 new charges, including identity theft.

Cartoon –  Number 2 of 4.

Short Takes –

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/09/israel-war-hamas-benjamin-netanyahu-government
The Guardian – We feel fear, anger and helplessness: all of Israel is in a state of war. But revenge is not the answer
Quote – Here in Jerusalem, we are trying to hold on to the hope that Hamas won’t launch missiles towards the city due to its proximity to al-Aqsa mosque, but the general anxiety still lingers. Schools have been closed, as have all businesses, and very few people are on the streets. Those who don’t have to, do not leave their homes. On Saturday night, after hours of anxious staring at the television and social media, my daughter was panicked by the fear that Hamas militants, armed and still inside Israeli territory, might make their way to Jerusalem and attack us in our home. Only after a thorough tour of the public shelters in the neighbourhood did she calm down slightly and manage to fall asleep.

https://www.dogshirtdaily.com/p/how-not-to-respond-to-a-terrorist
Dog Shirt Daily – How Not to Respond to a Terrorist Attack
Quote – The reason I don’t write about Israeli-Palestinian matters much is that the more time I have spent with them, the less I think I have anything useful to say on the subject. The process of spending time with the actual conflict has humbled me to the point that I am these days much more interested in asking questions than I am in making pronouncements. I am much more interested in conveying information than I am in telling people what I think—when I even know what I think, which is increasingly infrequent.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/
Reuters – How Hamas duped Israel as it planned devastating attack
Quote – A careful campaign of deception ensured Israel was caught off guard when the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched its devastating attack, enabling a force using bulldozers, hang gliders and motorbikes to take on the Middle East’s most powerful army. Saturday’s assault, the worst breach in Israel’s defences since Arab armies waged war in 1973, followed two years of subterfuge by Hamas that involved keeping its military plans under wraps and convincing Israel it did not want a fight. While Israel was led to believe it was containing a war-weary Hamas by providing economic incentives to Gazan workers, the group’s fighters were being trained and drilled, often in plain sight, a source close to Hamas said.

Food For Thought

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Sep 182023
 

Glenn Kirschner – Jack Smith seeks gag order to STOP Trump’s dangerous disinformation & jury-pool-poisoning lies

The Lincoln Project – Trump’s Charges

MSNBC – S***’s about to hit the fan’: Nicolle reacts to Jack Smith pushing a ‘gag order’ on Trump

Patrick Fitzgerald – Vape Ho

Clingy Cat Goes Everywhere With Mom

Beau – Let’s talk about Biden, Iran, and $6 billion….

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Apr 062021
 

Really American – “Final Four”

Meidas Touch – Rep. Grace Meng takes longer than Rep Lieu to excoriate ex-Guv Huckabee – and it”s golden

Robert Reich – How Corporations Crush the Working Class

New! Randy! Rainbow!

Dedicated to Karen (with so many memes I recommend going through twice – once forthe lyrics and once for the memes, maybe the second time slowed down with the sound off.)

Beau talked about “tomorrow” yesterday – so this concerns today – and is now already over – for today.

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Nov 282020
 

It’s another tired day here in the CatBox, but I have enough gas in the tank for a full post today.  Tomorrow please expect no more than a Personal Update, as it’s a WWWendy day, and we are having our Thanksgiving dinner.  It’s also a Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb.  My Broncos are praying the Saints, but it won’t be televised here.  I hope you are having a fine holiday weekend, even if it isn’t a holiday for you.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:01 (average 4:26).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Now, as states across the country contemplate new lockdowns to slow down the rampant spread and record hospitalizations, the unprecedented demand for food aid is on the rise, according to the Guardian’s latest snapshot survey:

  • In Cleveland, 5,000 families showed up last Thursday for the pre-Thanksgiving drive-in distribution compared with 3,300 a week earlier and an average of 1,600 over the summer. Some 54% of the food distributed was for children and seniors. “We’re now seeing families who had an emergency fund but it’s gone and they’re at the end of their rope. We’re going to be doing this for a really long time, and that’s frankly terrifying given the impact hunger has on physical health, learning and development for children and parents’ stress,” said Kristin Warzocha, president of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
  • One woman in Cleveland, who didn’t want to be identified, discharged herself from the hospital against medical advice so that she didn’t miss the Thanksgiving food box delivery. “That’s the depth of need and desperation some families are feeling,” added Warzocha.

Not surprisingly, the Trump administration is making a bad situation worse, The Guardian reports. Instead of boosting Snap benefits (food stamps), it cut eligibility. The USDA’s Farmers to Families program expires at the end of the year, as does a $450 million boost to the Emergency Food Assistance Program. “Without government assistance, ‘we’re headed toward a massive cliff come January,’ said Erin Pulling, CEO of the Food Bank for the Rockies which serves Colorado and Wyoming.”

Barf Bag Alert!!

 

This will not change when Trump* is gone. How many years have you seen me say, “Every penny Democrats spend to feed hungry families is a penny Republicans can’t give to a billionaire.”?  RESIST!!

From NY Times: Iran’s top nuclear scientist, long identified by American and Israeli intelligence as the guiding figure behind a covert effort to design an atomic warhead, was shot and killed Friday in what the Iranian media called a roadside ambush as he and his bodyguards traveled outside Tehran.

For two decades, the scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was the driving force behind what American and Israeli officials describe as Iran’s secretive nuclear weapons program. His work continued after Iran’s push to develop a bomb was formally disbanded in 2003, according to American intelligence assessments and Iranian nuclear documents stolen by Israel nearly three years ago.

One American official — along with two other intelligence officials — said that Israel was behind the attack on the scientist. It was unclear how much the United States may have known about the operation in advance, but the two nations are the closest of allies and have long shared intelligence regarding Iran, which Israel considers its most potent threat.

There are three possibilities. Butcher Bibi, criminal Fuhrer Trump* or both in unison. I pick door number three. RESIST!!

From Alternet: A new viral video released by “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” on Friday offers an in-depth look into President Donald Trump’s ongoing refusal to condemn white supremacy.

According to the three-minute YouTube video’s description, it aims to highlight Trump’s “cozy relationship with supremacists.” The video, which garnered more than 700,000 views in less than 24 hours, notes Trump’s repeated attacks on nearly everyone under the sun.

Roy Wood Jr., a correspondent for the Noah’s show, provided the commentary for the video. During the video, he noted that Trump has often been “famous for being quick with an insult,” reports the Huffington Post. From lawmakers , state, and local officials, to Democratic voters, Trump has so easily insulted tons of people—except white supremacists.

When Trump was elected, racists rejoiced. White supremacists rallied around him holding rallies and blatantly making their racial bias known. On multiple occasions, Trump has retweeted white genocide posts on social media and subtly defended the actions of white supremacists.

 

This will not change when Trump* is gone. Trump* did not choose the Republican Reich. The Republican Reich chose Trump*, because he represents them.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast for the planet): Paradise

 

John Prine was a man who loved this planet. Sadly his fight is over. Seven months ago, Trump* and the Republican Reich murdered him with Trump* virus.  RESIST!!

52 Days Until the Big FLUSH!!

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Jan 132020
 

It’s a hectic day, here in the CatBox.  I tried to refill seven prescriptions at Walgreens (now Alliance) Mail Order Pharmacy and, after trying at the website for three days, called them.  I learned that they are no longer the preferred mail order pharmacy.  I went to the Providence website and learned that Costco Mail Order Pharmacy is now the one.  It took me over three hours to set up my account there, enter all my prescription, call my doctor, and arrange for her to fax them over to Costco.  Then Walgreen’s sent me an email that they were processing my order.  I called them back.  It turns out they assumed I wanted to pay for those prescriptions myself.  I told that poor CS gal that they should changer their name again from Alliance to Ulysses.  “Why?” she asked.  I replied, so customers can call them Useless for short!!”   ARGH!!!  Needless to say, all that cut into my research time Big Time, so this is my only article today.  Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:06 (average 6:36). To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (NBC News Channel): Defense Sec. Esper Says He ‘Didn’t See’ Intelligence Showing Threat To U.S. Embassies

 

The threat was so immediate and immanent that impeached War Criminal Trump* and the Republican Reich ordered this murder seven months agoRESIST!!

From YouTube (FiveThirtyEight Channel): If Joe Biden wins Iowa, ‘he’s off to the races’: Nate Silver

 

I’ve always respected Nate Silver, but let’s work like hell to make sure that Liz or Bernie wins Iowa for America’s sake!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Heart – “Barracuda”

 

Ah… the memories!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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Jan 082020
 

It’s a very tired day here in the CatBox.  Last night was so muggy and humid that I kept waking up wet and itchy.  I ate a small bowl of soup for lunch yesterday, a small bowl of chili (without the chili), rice and Brussels sprouts for supper, and a small bowl of cheerios this morning.  I kept it all down with minimal discomfort.  WWWendy comes tonight for some much needed destinking.  Happy Hump day to all.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:43 (average 4:35).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Iran Retaliates, Fires Missiles At US Bases In Iraq

Iran could have employed much more accurate missiles in their inventory. This was a very measured response, designed for local propaganda, while stepping back from war.   I hope that War Criminal Trump* lets it end here. I fear that he will not. Rachel is spot-on!  RESIST!!

From TPM: Former Vice President Joe Biden said that he predicts Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may become “mildly cooperative” in a post-Trump era.

“I’m not suggesting all of a sudden everyone’s going to project a new sense of courage and political courage,” Biden said at a campaign event in New York. “What I’m suggesting [is] that the dynamic changes when the right vote, as opposed to the vote you don’t agree with, becomes a possibility if you vote for it.”

Biden has gotten in hot water with progressives before for his optimistic vision of a bipartisan future, though he tried to give his perspective more nuance in the most recent Democratic debate.

I think Biden’s eyes used to be blue.   However, his belief that Bought Bitch Moscow Mitch will be anything but criminally uncooperative means Joe is so full of shit his eyes have turned brown.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Jefferson Airplane – Somebody to Love (Dick Cavett Show)

Ah… the memories!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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Jan 072020
 

It’s still a queasy day here in the CatBox, but I managed to keep a small bowl of soup down last night and six Ritz crackers with peanut butter this morning, so for now, I’m back in the saddle.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:09 (average 4:56).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Cartoon:

Sadly, Monica has too much class to give Trump a BJ to get him convicted!

Short Takes:

From The New Yorker: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is “completely baffled” as to why he appears to be the only dictator whom Donald J. Trump does not like, the autocrat said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran, the long-reigning tyrant expressed puzzlement and dismay that Trump had not given him the adulation that he has showered on seemingly every other totalitarian in the world.

“Trump loves Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman, and he’s even given Kim Jong Un a cute nickname, but, for some mysterious reason, I leave him cold,” the visibly saddened Ayatollah said. “I just don’t get it.”

Khamenei initially tried not to take Trump’s distaste for him personally, he said, “but when it became clear that he liked even second-tier strongmen like Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Turkey, and Rodrigo Duterte, of the Philippines, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt.”

I guess Andy is back to straight news. If I were Khamenei, my feelings would be hurt too.  RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Huge crowds turn out for Iranian general’s furneral [sic]

 

I bet that Resident Donald Trump*, aka Fuhrer Drumpfenfarten, has rat-holed this film away, planning to use it to claim these huge crowds turned-out for his inauguration!  RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Tommy James and the Shondells – Crystal Blue Persuasion

 

Ah… the memories!  RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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Just Like GHW Bush

 Posted by at 8:55 am  Politics
Jan 032020
 

GHW Bush needed something to increase his popular support to aid his reelection.  When Saddam Hussein decided to invade Kuwait over an oil dispute, he notified the US Ambassador to Iraq, April Glaspie.  She told him the US has “no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait” and that the US has “no special defense or security commitments to Kuwait.”  That’s diplo-speak for, “Go for it”.  When Saddam invaded, the Bush administration paraded the Kuwaiti Ambassador’s daughter, who had been here in the US for over a year,  before Congress.  She pretended to be a nurse in a Kuwaiti hospital and lied that Iraqi troops had pulled babies from incubators and murdered then.  Bush had his war.  It’s a standard Republican tactic.   Unfortunately for Bush, Gen. Collin Powell defeated Iraq so quickly that the war was over too soon, and Bush lost his election anyway.  This is exactly why Donald Trump*, impeached Resident, is now trying to start a war with Iran.

0103Solmeni-killed

MSNBC’s James Stavridis warned that President Donald Trump’s order to kill Iranian general Qassim Suleimani would dangerously escalate tensions in the Middle East — which could blow back on the United States.

The retired U.S. Navy admiral and supreme allied commander of NATO told “Morning Joe” that Suleimani, who led the clandestine Quds Force, was dangerous — but he said the killing would inflame an already tense situation.

“Suleimani is an evil person, he’s a villain,” Stavridis said. “We are better off tactically for his piece being taken off the chessboard. He was smart, he constructed very clever attacks on us, so tactically this is a positive.”

The retired admiral agreed that Suleimani was the most significant military figure in the Middle East over the past generation, but he worried about the president’s strategy.

“Tactically, I’m glad he’s gone,” Stavridis said. “Strategically, however, we are pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire with no structure or strategy for where we’re going to take this thing next, and I’ll tell you the Pentagon today is going to be on all hands on deck doing the defensive measures all over the world to make sure that we’re prepared for the response, because there will be a significant response.”…[emphasis added]

Inserted From <Raw Story>

Here’s more:

Fareed Zakaria on airstrike: Iran will respond in some way

 

It is clear that Pompeo’s  statement that this act of was was a deterrent is a lie.  Throwing a stick of dynamite into a tinder box is an invitation to explode, not a deterrent.  However, Trump repeatedly predicted that Barack Obama would attack Iran to ensure his reelection in 2012.  That is what Trump has in mind.  I hope it doesn’t work.  I fear Iran’s retaliation will cause much suffering by innocents.

Trump was required by law to notify the gang of eight.  I understand he notified only Lindsey Poo.  He notified no Democrats, saying they would have leaked his plans.  Liar!

RESIST!!

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