Yesterday I did manage to get a little sleep. It only reached 86° outside, but the temperature in the enclosed breezeway outside my only windows reached 132°, and at my desk, 99°. My walls are still radiating heat, but my little 250W AC had dropped it to 91° today at sunrise. I’m current with replies. Tomorrow is uncertain, because today is forecast to be even hotter.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today it took me 4:08 (average 5:01). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From MoveOn: George McGovern Nails What Patriotism Is All About In One Sentence
The blind acceptance (with inferred obedience) of which McGovern speaks is NOT patriotism. It is nationalism. The Republican lie that such nationalism is patriotism is an obstacle to authentic patriotism.
From NY Times: The United States declared Afghanistan a major, non-NATO ally on Saturday, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton personally delivering the news of Afghanistan’s entry into a club that includes Israel, Japan, Pakistan and other close Asian and Middle Eastern allies.
While the intent of so doing is to ease troop withdrawal is well intended, I consider this a mistake by the Obama administration, because it is wasted on the corrupt puppet, Hamid Karzai, whom GW Bush installed there only because he was already in thrall to Big Gas and Oil, as a Unocal employee.
From Right Wing Watch: Fischer: Mandate That Everyone Attend Church And Tax Those Who Don’t
This is want Republican Supply-side pseudo-Christians mean by "freedom of religion".
Cartoon:
12 Responses to “Open Thread–7/8/2012”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Puzzle — I'm a lion but no teeth! Well that was the first time with computer acting up — mouse and I guess too many web browsers at once which slowed it down. Second time 4:08! So I guess I have teeth and I'm nipping at your butt!
Cartoon — A chauffeur in deed! And a woman no less! Oh, wait! That's no woman, it's his wife! Now if we could only find a voice of reason to drive his mouth!
MoveOn — I couldn't agree with George McGovern more. I've always thought of patriotism as being "a spade is a spade, and shit is shit" kind of attitude. The willingness to see the good, the bad and ugly in the country, AND the willingness to do what it takes to see more good than bad and ugly.
Afghanistan — "…because it is wasted on the corrupt puppet, Hamid Karzai, whom GW Bush installed there only because he was already in thrall to Big Gas and Oil, as a Unocal employee." — I heard about this on the radio last night as I came home from being with my mother. This was my first reaction! Couldn't believe what I was hearing, but then, it's all politics.
Right Wing Watch — My stepfather would have loved that one! When he announced he was going to church, we knew that meant he was going to the pub to be with his friends! And since there is no specific mention of what church by Fischer, I suppose one could go to a synagogue or mosque or Buddhist Temple or . . .? So much for separation of church and state, all under the screwed up notion of better healthcare. Those right wing fanatical evangelical Christians really know how spin things. What a bunch of losers!
I still think he's using either sorcery or performance enhancing substances (of an indeterminate nature 🙂 to complete those puzzles so fast. I can't even come close.
Patriotism packaged as "my country right or wrong" coupled with "love it or leave it" is just fanaticism wrapped in a flag,
Afghanistan – Never should have gone there, shouldn't be there now, and need to leave as soon as we can.
Right Wing Watch – Worship?? Church?? Nah, that's going too far. I pay my respects at the altar of St. Budweiser, but that's as far as I'm willing to go. I'm quite willing to let my fellow humans practice whatever metaphysical aberration suits their psyche as long as they keep it to themselves. When they try to impose it on me – – – well, that's a whole different ballgame. The unquestioning assumption that if you don't believe in someone's deity, you cannot be a moral or ethical person, is one I find very insulting.
Got two of Jack Whyte's books on order, looking forward to it.
Time for me to quake!
His only reason is money.
Thanks!
Shocking, huh?
Amen!
Don't forget to check your computer to be sure it isn't infected with the DNSChange Malware BEFORE midnight!
You can learn more about it here:
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911
And you can run the simple check by clicking "Detect" here, and then selecting a site to run the FREE test (but traffic is heavy, so it may be a bit slow in loading – and not all sites are available because of the traffic)
http://www.dcwg.org/
Thanks Nameless. I heard about this yesterday on the radio but when I got home, couldn't find out more. Was very quick and I was 'clean' thankfully! Seems I won't be clean for long — I just heard the garbage can in the kitchen go flying courtesy of a cat or two. Oh hmmmm… what is a cat mother to do?
I have already been there and done that, but I recommend that all do.
Thanks!
3:47 Same time as yesterday.
4:06 You beat everybody again.
Well I guess at least I have company in third place! Although I believe there is a Care2 reader that gave Jerry a run for his money @ 3:49
Last again! 🙁
No, tied for third! Lucky cat, and tied with me! Is your cup half full or half empty?
I can't tell. I don't have a cup size. 😉