Aug 262011
 

Yesterday I went to the prison to volunteer.  As always, my guys impressed me with their commitment to change. I got home late, missing my evening sleep.  My AC arrived about an hour before I left, but I could not leave it on.  It sits in a doorway, blows cool air in and hot air out.  When I returned, The temperature at my desk was 107°.  It is cooling the room, but it will take time.  I’m exhausted, but I am current with replies.  This will be my only article.  Today I will be resting and recovering.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:00 (average 4:35).  To di it, click here.  How did you do?

Irene Update:

26HurTrack2

Be safe!

Short Takes:

From Real Clear Politics: Elizabeth Warren, though not yet an official U.S. Senate candidate in Massachusetts, has formed an exploratory committee, launched a state "listening tour" and is organizing volunteers. And on Thursday, progressives will deliver her campaign a check for $105,657.

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has been raising money for the "Draft Elizabeth Warren" fund since the Harvard law professor was passed over by the president to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau she developed (it was clear she wouldn’t garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed as director).

Run! Run!!  Run!!

From Huffington Post: The dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington has been postponed indefinitely as Hurricane Irene bears down on the East Coast.

The memorial’s executive architect disclosed the postponement after a day of forecasts from the National Weather Service indicating Hurricane Irene was bearing down on the East Coast. Executive architect Ed Jackson Jr.

Dr. King was a man of great patience.  He won’t mind waiting a little longer.

From Think Progress: A Republican committee in Minnesota has been caught creating an eBay-style auction site to sell access with politicians, including top lawmakers like Rep. John Kline (R-MN) and Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), as well as State House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-MN). With bidding starting at $250, the committee offered opportunities to “get up close and personal” with each lawmaker. The announcement for the auction was reportedly sent to area lobbyists.

If nothing else, bribery by auction is the most creative idea Republicans have had this century.

From Bernie Sanders: Under Sanders’ legislation [to be proposed next month], Social Security benefits would be untouched. The system would be fully funded by making the wealthiest Americans pay the same payroll tax already assessed on those with incomes up to $106,800 a year. The idea follows through on a proposal that President Obama made when he was running for office in 2008.

This is the solution I have been proposing for several years.  Go Bernie!!

Cartoon:

26Cartoon

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  14 Responses to “Open Thread–8/26/2011”

  1. All’s fine here.

  2. Good thing too; they fund several cracks in the Washington Memorial.

  3. John Kline, Kurt Zellers, Erik Paulsen

    Access to representatives or senators should NEVER be for sale! That restricts access to the constituents. If you can’t pay, then he won’t talk to you? Republicans are only in politics to serve themselves. This is not representation. Slimy tactic.

    Bernie Sanders

    Saw him on The Ed Show — he sure makes lots of sense and has the people in focus. Now this is what politician should be.

    Elizabeth Warren

    I hope for the sake of the country she runs. The US needs good, educated thinking women in Congress to counter the Bachmanns.

  4. 3:56 Just made it. I am 73 out of 238 (308).

  5. An interesting – and interactive – Hurricane Irene Storm Surge map from NOAA:
    http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ssurge/risk/index.shtml?gm

    And a slick, flying virtual tour of the new Kiing Memorial Monument:
    http://www.mlkmemorial.org/site/c.hkIUL9MVJxE/b.6021495/k.7E74/Virtual_Tour_Flyover.htm

    • Neat stuff, Nameless. I heve to day though, from what I;ve seen, his figure in the memorial captures little of the deep compassion he had as a person.

  6. Republicans selling access to themselves only reinforces the appearance that they are only interested in the rich. Appearance I say? Hell! It reinforces the REALITY that republicans are only interested in the rich.

  7. 4:33

    Love the bus!

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