Open Thread–2/16/2012

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 162012
 

Yesterday I felt very tired and rested, except for doing my research.  I’m current with replies, albeit briefly.  Today I need to go purchase items for a witch’s to prepare for a medical procedure next week.

Jig Zone Puzzles:

Yesterday it took me 4:33 (average 5:30).  To do it click here.  Today it took me 3:56 (average 4:56).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: A $260-billion, Republican-drafted House bill is facing opposition from the left and the right, forcing GOP leaders Wednesday to put off a final roll call while they scramble to line up the votes to pass it.

The White House on Tuesday threatened a veto, saying the measure "jeopardizes safety, weakens environmental and labor protections and fails to make the investments needed to strengthen the nation’s roads, bridges, rail and transit systems." If the bill gets to the president’s desk, the White House budget office said, his senior advisors will recommend that he veto it.

This is the monstrosity that even Ray LaHood said was the worst he had ever seen.

From Washington Post: A Connecticut human-rights commission has rebuked a mayor who made a disparaging remark about Latinos.

The state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities said Tuesday it unanimously approved a resolution condemning East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Maturo Jr. for saying last month he might have tacos as a way to do something for the community.The Republican mayor made the remark in response to a reporter’s question after the arrests of four police officers on charges they harassed Latino residents and businesses. He received criticism from all quarters, including Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Just another example of Republican racism.

From Huffington Post:

Lisa Chan, the actress who appeared in a political ad that was widely criticized for furthering negative stereotypes of Asian-Americans, has apologized, calling her participation "a mistake."…

…"I am deeply sorry for any pain that the character I portrayed brought to my communities," Chan wrote on her Facebook page, as first reported by the Angry Asian Man blog. "As a recent college grad who has spent time working to improve communities and empower those without a voice, this role is not in any way representative of who I am. It was absolutely a mistake on my part and one that, over time, I hope can be forgiven. I feel horrible about my participation and I am determined to resolve my actions."

I’m glad that Chan has apologized, but even though he has pulled the ad, Peter Hoekstra still refused to apologize and continues to double down on his Republican racism.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:03 am  8 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Open Thread–2/2/2012

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 022012
 

Yesterday there was a little excitement here.  I got up early to collect the data for January’s monthly report.  Then I did my online shopping.  Afterwards, feeling quite tired, I went to bed for my normal afternoon sleep.  Less than an hour later, the fire alarm rousted me.  A Mexican Restaurant on the ground floor of my building had a kitchen fire.  So I threw on my clothes and my coat, grabbed my O2, and headed for the street, firefighters coming up the stairs as I was going down.  I had to wait about ninety minutes, before I could return.  Please don’t worry.  The fire was in the opposite corner of the building from me.  I was never in any danger.  I never even smelled smoke.  However, I’m bleary eyed, because I’ve had no sleep.  I’m current with replies, although I was shorter than usual.  Today is rest and recover time.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:35 (average 5:17).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From City AM: ROYAL Bank of Scotland chief executive Stephen Hester has bowed to growing political pressure and agreed to waive his bonus.

Hester decided to forego the award of 3.6m shares, worth around £960,000, after the Labour party said it would force a House of Commons vote on the issue in a bid to make the government block the controversial payout.

Friends of Hester told City A.M. he had spent the weekend considering his options and had decided to relinquish his 2011 bonus after it became clear the political row would not die down. They said the issue was threatening to distract him from the job of nursing the bank back to health.

A big Hat-Tip goes to Patricia G who tipped me off about this item.  She and other progressive British heroes protested this Bankster’s bonus until Parliament took note, and his greed gave way to self-preservation.  Kudos to them!

From Reuters: The Indiana state Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to a new law allowing workers at unionized businesses to avoid paying union dues, the last major legislative hurdle to making Indiana the first "right-to-work" state in the nation’s manufacturing belt.

No state has approved a right-to-work law since Oklahoma a decade ago, and Indiana is being closely watched nationwide during a presidential election year. The Senate vote of 28 to 22 was followed by calls of "shame, shame" from members of the public outside the chamber.

Governor Mitch Daniels will likely sign the bill Wednesday.

Shame!  Shame!  It’s a black day for Indiana. :-( .  Here’s Rachel.

 

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

From Truth-out: Today, the nation is abuzz over Mitt Romney bluntly cold comment: "I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there."

This is not a slip of the tongue. This is what he believes. We know, because he said it before.

Isn’t it ironic that Rmoney credits the safety net at the same time that he and his goose-stepping pals are fighting to destroy it.  They are not concerned with the poor, because they govern exclusively for the benefit of millionaires, billionaires, and corporate criminals.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:03 am  13 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Open Thread–1/27/2012

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 272012
 

If everything works as planned, I will be asleep when this article appears, having just returned from prison after my volunteer work.  I’m writing it early in the morning of 1/26, before leaving and setting it to auto-publish so there is at least something for you at the regular time. Obviously I am not current on replies.  Friday is a rest and catch up day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

It’s not up yet, and I shall post two on the Open Thread for the 28th.

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: The Big Secret About Mitt Romney’s Tax Plan In One Chart

27mitt-tax-graph

Talk about Rmoney!!

From Truth-Out: So what the story of Mr. Romney and the auto bailout actually shows is something we already knew from health care: He’s a smart guy who is also a moral coward. His original proposal for the auto industry, like his health-care reform law in Massachusetts, bore considerable resemblance to what Mr. Obama actually did. But when the deed took place, Mr. Romney — rather than having the courage to say that the president was actually doing something reasonable — joined the rest of his party in whining and denouncing the plan.

And now he wants to claim credit for the very policy he trashed when it hung in the balance.

That Romney lies so much that he’s a … Republican!

From Washington Post: In the end, they just didn’t have the votes.

For two legislative sessions, Indiana Democrats fought the divisive labor measure known as right-to-work. They offered amendments aimed at changing the bill. They sought to put the issue before voters in a referendum. And in their most high-profile gambit, House Democrats staged occasional boycotts to deny the Republican-dominated chamber enough members to conduct business.

But that all ended Wednesday when the minority party acceded to the mathematical reality of the Republican’s 60-40 majority in the chamber. Democrats showed up, and the Indiana House voted 54-44 to make Indiana the 23rd right-to-work state.

This is a sad day for Labor and for working people everywhere.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:01 am  10 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Open Thread–1/22/2012

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 222012
 

Yesterday I slept late and didn’t get much done, except for my daily research.  I fell asleep watching the returns, so I’m running a little late.  I’m current with replies.  Tomorrow is a Higher Holy Day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:20 (average 4:41).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: President Obama will use his election-year State of the Union address on Tuesday to define an activist role for government in promoting a prosperous and equitable society, hoping to draw a stark contrast between the parties in a time of deep economic uncertainty.

In a video preview e-mailed to more than 10 million supporters on Saturday, as South Carolina Republicans went to the polls to help pick an alternative to him, Mr. Obama promised a populist “blueprint for an American economy that’s built to last,” with the government assisting individuals and businesses to ensure “an America where everybody gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share and everybody plays by the same set of rules.”

It pains me that I’m going to miss this, but I’ll be in prison doing volunteer work at the time.

From Daily Kos: House Republicans, undaunted by the payroll tax holiday debacle that dinged their conference last month, said Friday that they were considering using the Keystone XL Pipeline as a chip in the next round of negotiations over the tax break, as part of their overall efforts to push back against White House policies this year.

This more Republican terrorism, holding the people hostage to benefit a few corporate criminals.

From PRWatch: Indiana Republicans, who hold solid majorities in the state House and Senate as well as the governor’s mansion, have once again taken up "Right-To-Work." Indiana tried passing anti-union legislation last year but the effort stalled amidst public outcry. Despite this, Right-to-Work legislation was one of the first pieces taken up by the GOP majority in the 2012 session.

Both houses fast tracked the bills — Senate Bill 269 and House Bill 1001 — hoping to push them through in the face of stiff opposition from both Indiana Democrats and labor activists. “Fast tracking” was necessary as Republicans want to put this legislation to rest before the Super Bowl here in Indianapolis next month. As game day approaches the fight over this right-to-work legislation may turn into a national discussion on the issue.

I hope Indiana Democrats stand firm on this and do whatever is necessary to stall it.  Since so many working class people are also football fans, controversy at the Super Bowl could be immensely helpful educating America that Republicans do NOT represent them.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:05 am  20 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , ,

One Million Is a Lot of Angry People!

 Politics
Jan 182012
 

Today I would not want to be the the Fuhrer of the Totalitarian Corporate Plutocracy of Fitzwalkerstan, formerly Wisconsin.  As Scott Walker was in New York sucking up to a known corporate criminal, the heroic oppressed people turned on over one million signatures guaranteeing a recall election to oust Walker and other Republican tyrants this summer.

18recallDemocrats and organizers filed petitions Tuesday afternoon with more than a million signatures as they sought to force a recall election against Gov. Scott Walker – a massive number that seems to cement a historic recall election against him for later this year.

It would mark the first such gubernatorial recall in state history and would be only the third gubernatorial recall election in U.S. history. Organizers Tuesday also handed in 845,000 signatures against Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch as well as petitions against four GOP state senators including Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau.

The sheer number of signatures being filed against Walker – nearly as many as the total votes cast for the governor in November 2010 and almost twice as many as those needed to trigger a recall election – ensure the election will be held, said officials with the state Democratic Party and United Wisconsin, the group that launched the Walker recall.

"It is beyond legal challenge," said Ryan Lawler, vice chairman of United Wisconsin.

The filing marks a milestone following Walker’s controversial legislation ending most union bargaining for public workers… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Milwaukee Journal Sentinel>

Rachel Maddow provided more details, interviewed state Senator Jon Erpenbach, and extended the story into overcoming Republican tyranny in other states.

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

Again and again I see people making the foolish claim that the two political parties are alike.  Let them ask the people of Fitzwalkerstan, who are struggling to take back their state from a Republican reign.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:05 am  14 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Recess Appointments Going to Court

 Politics
Jan 152012
 

It did not take long for there to be  a legal challenge to Barack Obama’s recess appointments.  As I anticipated, the challenge comes from a business front group, rather than from the Republican Party, as Republicans have no standing to sue over them.  The manner in which the challenge has developed could nor demonstrate more clearly why the appointments were so necessary.

15NLRBPresident Barack Obama’s recess appointment of three members to the National Labor Relations Board was challenged in court by the National Federation of Independent Business, which claims a constitutional violation.

The filing yesterday may be the first legal action targeting the White House appointments made without Senate confirmation on Jan. 4 during a brief congressional break. It was made as part of an existing lawsuit in federal court in Washington over a new NLRB rule that requires employers to notify workers of their rights to form a union.

Without a legal quorum, the board has no authority to enforce the rule, the NFIB, which was joined by four other groups and companies in the filing, argued.

“The grounds for the motion are that very significant events have transpired since the filing of the complaints in this case, particularly within the last ten days,” according to the filing. “The president purported to appoint the new members without the advice and consent of the Senate.”… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Bloomberg>

Here it is in a nutshell.  The NLRB needs a quorum to enforce its rules, such as the rule that requires employers to notify employees on their right to form a union.  Anti-union employers want to disobey those rules, thus depriving workers of their just rights.  To enable such employers to get away with breaking the law, Senate Republicans hobbled the NLRB by refusing to confirm anyone appointed to the boards, thus preventing an NLRB quorum.  Obama’s recess appointments to fill the vacancies on the NLRB created the quorum necessary for the NLRB to enforce the law.

Any vote that does not help keep Republicans out of office is a vote against workers rights.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:13 am  17 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , ,

Open Thread–1/11/2012

 Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Jan 112012
 

Yesterday I rested as much as I could to be fresh for the debate.  I’m current with replies.  My paperwork pile still awaits and is growing.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:27 (average 4:51).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Reuters: An Indiana state House committee advanced Republican backed right-to-work legislation to the full House in a 15 minute meeting on Tuesday, one day after Democrats ended a boycott that had blocked its path.

The panel sent the measure to the full Indiana state House of Representatives on an 8-5 vote along party lines over loud objections from opponents, who had asked for more testimony on the proposal they see as an assault on unions.

If the right-to-work proposal is approved, Indiana would be the first state in the industrial heartland of the United States to adopt such a law. It is in force in 22 other states, mostly in the South and West.

Right-to-work is a misnomer for right-to-underpay.  Republicans changed the rules to make Democrats pay stiff fines, if they reinstitute their quorum boycott for the floor vote.

From MoveOn: There’s A New Party Running in 2012

 

Now that’s a third party that just might work. ;-)

From The Daily Beast: Santorum painted a dark picture of the new bureau. The CFPB is “a pretty scary thing,” he said. It can determine “what loans you’re going to be able to qualify for, who you can do business with.”

What a load of Santorum!  The CFPB forces Banksters and others to tell the truth about their financial products and can forbid predatory practices, such as excessive fees.  In no way does it limit consumers’ choices of lenders or loans.

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 Posted by TomCat at 12:00 am  13 Responses »  Tagged with: , , , , , ,
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