April 2014 – Page 2 – Politics Plus

Open Thread–4/26/2014

Posted by TomCat at 12:02 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 262014

I’m writing for tomorrow and am feeling quite tired after my volunteer day. The trip down was a little stressful, because the friend with whom I went forgot her ID and had to return home to get it. She drove fast. I prayed faster. We barely made it and were the last two permitted in. I attended the first half of my guys’ annual banquet, an event held in the visiting room with my guys, their families, and their guests. They cater a meal, pay for it themselves, and refuse to accept my contributions. There are so many in the group that they have to split it into two sessions. The second half will be next month. While it’s primarily a social occasion, I used it to talk to the families of some of the men I work with. Hearing how hard their prisoner is working, how much he is learning, and how much he deserves their pride in him is a great reassurance for them and serves to reaffirm his commitment to do whatever it takes to change. Day 5.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:33 (average 4:04). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Upworthy: Generations of small business owners, workers, and residents of the fishing village of Pointe à la Hache in Louisiana can tell you the effects of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 have eliminated many small businesses and incomes as well as their entire way of life. And yet, who will pay?

Why doesn’t BP Pay? The GOBP is protecting them.

From YouTube: Jon Stewart Exposes Sean Hannity’s Moron-Hypocrisy on Cliven Bundy

Hannity knew full well that Bundy, like Hannity himself, was a racist. The only difference between the two is that Bundy is up front about it. But the bottom line is not what wing-nuts say. It’s that Republican policies are racist.

From The New Yorker: Republican politicians blasted the Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy on Thursday for making flagrantly racist remarks instead of employing the subtler racial code words the G.O.P. has been using for decades.

“We Republicans have worked long and hard to develop insidious racial code words like ‘entitlement society’ and ‘personal responsibility,’ ” said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky). “There is no excuse for offensive racist comments like the ones Cliven Bundy made when there are so many subtler ways of making the exact same point.”

Fox News also blasted the rancher.

I could not have described this more accurately than Andy’s satire does.

Cartoon:

0426Cartoon

Open Thread–4/25/2014

Posted by TomCat at 12:51 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 252014

I’m writing for tomorrow, and this is tomorrow’s only article, because I will not get back from prison until late and will have missed sleep. Day 2.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:25 (average 4:36). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Scary news out of Pennsylvania:

A local chapter of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan launched a neighborhood watch in the area of Ridge Road in Fairview Township in response to a recent rash of break-ins, said Frank Ancona, the organization’s imperial wizard and president.

Frank Ancona went on to offer assurances they don’t target minorities:

“It’s just like any neighborhood watch program. It’s not targeting any specific ethnicity. We would report anything we see to law enforcement,” Ancona said. “We don’t hate people. We are an organization who looks out for our race. We believe in racial separation. God created each species after its kind and saw that it was good.”

This news comes on the heels of reports that the KKK has started a new recruitment drive: [Republican KKK delinked]

He and his Republican allies have a point. The government species and the Republican species must be separated and kept apart.

From The New Yorker: Flanked by members of his state’s legislature on Wednesday afternoon, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal proudly unveiled Georgia’s new official state slogan, “We Make Florida Look Safe.”

Gov. Deal told reporters that the slogan was “more than just words,” reflecting Georgia’s determination to best its rival Florida for the nation’s most reckless gun law.

“When Florida passed Stand Your Ground, we knew we were playing catch-up,” Gov. Deal said. “Thanks to the fine men and women in the Georgia state legislature, we’re No. 1.”

Gov. Deal said he hoped that the state’s newly enacted Safe Carry Protection Act, which makes it legal to carry guns in bars, schools, churches, and some government buildings, would send the message that Georgia was taking its competition with Florida “very, very seriously.”

Andy’s satire aside, dozens of innocent victims will die, and dozens of guilty Republicans will go free because of this law.

From Raw Story: A New Hampshire lawmaker found himself being heckled by his colleagues on Wednesday during a state House speech, which asserted that women lacked the work ethic of men so they should be paid less.

During a floor debate on Wednesday, state Rep. Will Infantine (R) argued that the “Paycheck Equity Act” was not necessary to prevent wage discrimination based on gender because women deserved to make less.

“Men, by and large, make more because some of the things that they do,” he opined. “Their jobs are, by and large, riskier. They don’t mind working nights and weekends. They don’t mind working overtime or outdoors.”

At that point in the video clip uploaded by Granite State Progress, other lawmakers began to loudly object to Infantine’s remarks.

Note the way that Republican tried to blame the federal government for his standard Republican misogyny.

Cartoon:

0425Cartoon

Morse was a Republican Senator from Oregon, who had wisdom ahead of his times. He switched parties and became a Democrat. His speech against offshore drilling lasted 22 hours and 26 minutes.

SCROTUS Rules for Racism

Posted by TomCat at 1:36 am Politics

Apr 242014

Republicans are doing everything within their power to return the us to the racist Jim Crow era, and the Fascist Five Injustices as SCROTUS (Republican Constitutional VD) are in the forefront of the burning cross set with their most recent affirmative action decision. It’s not enough to keep minorities from voting. They decided to help keep them ignorant.

In a fractured decision that revealed deep divisions over what role the judiciary should play in protecting racial and ethnic minorities, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a Michigan constitutional amendment that bans affirmative action in admissions to the state’s public universities.

The 6-to-2 ruling effectively endorsed similar measures in seven other states. It may also encourage more states to enact measures banning the use of race in admissions or to consider race-neutral alternatives to ensure diversity.

States that forbid affirmative action in higher education, like Florida and California, as well as Michigan, have seen a significant drop in the enrollment of black and Hispanic students in their most selective colleges and universities.

But Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in the longest, most passionate and most significant dissent of her career, said the Constitution required special vigilance in light of the history of slavery, Jim Crow and “recent examples of discriminatory changes to state voting laws.”… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

I was surprised to see Justice Breyer vote with the goose-steppers, but his rationale was different. He passed it on will of the voters, and even though we call him one of the liberals, he’s really a centrist, which just seems liberal when compared to the Fascist Five.

Michigan’s Reichfuhrer Snyder is getting his way. Since enactment of this injurious policy, minority enrollment at Michigan’s public universities had dropped 25%.

Open Thread–4/24/2014

Posted by TomCat at 1:35 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 242014

I’m writing for tomorrow very early in the morning, because I have a busy day, including grocery delivery and preparation for tomorrow’s prison volunteer day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:28 (average 4:58). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Upworthy: A special Upworthy series about work and the economy, made possible by the AFL-CIO. Read more, then check out more in Workonomics.

Just remember some of these people when you go to the mall to get some new pants or whatever.

American workers, who lost their jobs, are not the only victims of the greedy corporations, who create such working conditions to increase their profit, and the Republican Party, that helps make such tragedies possible by taking funds from US taxpayers to finance corporate offshoring costs.

From Daily Kos: Last Friday, a bronze statue honoring the late U.S. District Judge J. Waties Waring, whose legal opinions helped end segregation and the doctrine of separate but equal, was unveiled outside the federal courthouse in Charleston, South Carolina. According to the Charleston Post and Courier, "an integrated crowd of several hundred people gathered to watch" the unveiling.

One dozen speakers spoke at the event, including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Congressman James Clyburn and South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal, each paying their respects to Waring for having the vision to try to move the country past the era of Jim Crow segregation.

But despite the large crowd and the attendance of top officials like Holder and Clyburn, you won’t be surprised about who didn’t show up:

Republicans from the area’s congressional delegation were conspicuously absent.

U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, and U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-Charleston, all skipped the dedication ceremony held last Friday at the federal courthouse in Charleston.

The Republican Party is the party of segregation and racism.

From The New Yorker: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the United States declared on Tuesday that lying by politicians is protected by the First Amendment because it is an expression of their religion.

By a 5–4 majority, the Court struck down an Ohio law that would make it harder to lie in political ads, arguing instead that “any attempt to restrict or punish lying by politicians is an unconstitutional infringement on a religion they have practiced for decades.”

The Court’s decision won praise from politicians of both parties, with many saying that the Justices’ recognition of lying as a religion was “long overdue.”

Andy had it right, until he made it bipartisan. Democratic politicians have no need to lie, because the truth works for them. On the other hand, "Thou shalt ALWAYS bear false witness," is one of the commandments of Republican Supply-side Jesus (not the real Jesus).

Cartoon:

We’re Number One? NOT!

Posted by TomCat at 12:02 am Politics

Apr 232014

Americans seem to fixate on the notion that our society is the best there is, despite having slipped from that perch in longevity, health, education, happiness, and many other categories. How ever, starting before I was born, The US has always had the most well-to-do middle class in the world, until now.

The American middle class, long the most affluent in the world, has lost that distinction.

While the wealthiest Americans are outpacing many of their global peers, a New York Times analysis shows that across the lower- and middle-income tiers, citizens of other advanced countries have received considerably larger raises over the last three decades.

Middle-class incomes in Canada — substantially behind in 2000 — now appear to be higher than in the United States. The poor in much of Europe earn more than poor Americans.

The numbers, based on surveys conducted over the past 35 years, offer some of the most detailed publicly available comparisons for different income groups in different countries over time. They suggest that most American families are paying a steep price for high and rising income inequality… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

Photo Credit: Big Fish Ink

Congrats to Canada, but their success may be short lived. because Harper’s Harlots are doing everything they can to mimic the US Republicans responsible for this.

In real terms, middle class income in the US has failed to keep pace with other nations, because virtually all the income goes to the 1%.

Open Thread–4/23/2014

Posted by TomCat at 12:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 232014

Writing for tomorrow, it’s a better day than yesterday. Of course, that isn’t saying much. I’m resting all I can, because I will be busy tomorrow preparing for a volunteer day in prison on Thursday. Day 1.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:38 (average 4:58). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Upworthy: The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that there are 939 hate groups operating in the U.S. — a nearly 60% increase since 2000. This reminded me of my favorite quote from Martin Luther King Jr.: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

These words are helpful to ponder in any situation, but especially when there are still so many people in need of love — both those who identify with a hate group and those who are on the receiving end of the hate.

0423ORHate

Recent events demonstrate the danger from Republican hate groups. This is a map of Oregon’s Republican hate groups. Here is the link to the SPLC Interactive Map.

From Daily Kos: This story is about one of those very rare moments in history that’s significantly affecting the way in which the public (and, as Paul Krugman acknowledges it, even many in the status quo) views the dismal science known as "economics." If you’re at all interested in the subject, or income inequality in general, last night’s Moyers’ show, with special guest Paul Krugman, is not to be missed.

Since so many of you can’t see the Vimeo included in the article, I found the same clip on YouTube.

The inequality in the US today is the greatest it has ever been in at any other time or in any other country in world history. Moyers and Krugman together is a true meeting of giants.

From NY Times: Every day, our computer churns through the latest polls and reams of historical data to calculate both parties’ chances of winning control of the Senate. Although the Democrats currently have a 51 percent chance, that doesn’t mean we’re predicting the Democrats to win the Senate — the probability is essentially the same as a coin flip.

After months of being told Republicans will win the Senate, this is certainly refreshing. Lets go change those numbers even more!

Cartoon:

0423Cartoon

Republicans must hate that site!!

Personal Update–4/22/2014

Posted by TomCat at 12:18 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 222014

I hate few things more than wasting a day, but that is what I’ve done today. I waited the whole half hour for my lift bus to arrive and take me to my medical appointment. They didn’t show up so I called. They apologized and said they were running late. I waited another twenty minutes and called again. They said they came to my address and were told I did not live there. They had sent my ride to my old address, although I have told them I have moved no fewer than five separate times. They told me there was nothing they could do, because the bus had moved on and was no longer in the neighborhood. I called the doctor’s office several times but could get only a recording. He must have given his scheduling staff the day after Easter off. I left a message, but have no idea if it got through, so I may be charged for a missed appointment, which my insurance will not cover. To make matters worse, I had awakened at 3:00 AM to deal with an equestrian necessity, and knowing my penchant for sleeping through alarm clocks, I opted to stay up and clean house. So I was pooped. However, I was too tired and too irritated to sleep. I lay in bed and tossed and turned, finally falling asleep late in the day. I feel frustrated over a wasted day. ARGH!!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:50 (average 4:56). To do it, click here. How did you do?

I bet it’s a Republican. 🙁

Injustice Commits Sedition

Posted by TomCat at 12:01 am Politics

Apr 212014

The Fascist Five Injustices of SCROTUS, Republican Constitutional VD, have been on a tear of late, shredding the Constitution at every opportunity. However, one of them just hit a new low. Antonin Scalia, a Ronald Reagan appointee, has publicly called for the overthrow of the government of the US, if Republicans don’t get their way.

During an event at the University of Tennessee’s law school on Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia suggested to the capacity crowd that perhaps they should revolt against the U.S government if their taxes ever get too high.

During a question and answer part of the event, a student asked Scalia about the constitutionality of a federal income tax. Scalia assured the questioner that the tax was in fact permissible by the constitution, but added that if it ever became too high, “perhaps you should revolt.”

The remark, first reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel, has become a common rhetorical flourish for conservatives nationwide during the Obama presidency.

A state Tea Party chairman in Mississippi called for armed rebellion ahead of Obama’s reelection in 2012, and a Texas Judge told a local news station that he was prepared to join a “civil war” if Obama agreed to sign away U.S sovereignty to the United Nations. Michele Bachmann found herself in hot water in 2009, shortly after Obama took office, for calling upon a violent uprising against Obama, and faced accusations of using treasonous language… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <Think Progress>

This sedition certainly qualifies as a “high crime” that meets the requirements needed to impeach him. Unfortunately, that will not happen, because Republicans control the House.

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