After puttering around for a bit, unable to really get into gear, I came to the realization that there’s just no more gas in this tank, and I need to take a day for R & R. Tonight is a minor holy day in the Church of the ellipsoid Orb. It’s the last week of the preseason. My Broncos are having a service with the Cardinals. Unfortunately, it won’t be televised locally. The networks still think Portland is a suburb of Seattle, so all we get is the damn Seachickens game. I can see the replay, but not until Saturday night. Fantasy Football players, our season begins one week from tonight on 9/10. You should have your starting lineup set before then.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 4:09 (average 5:47). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Cartoon:
201 Responses to “Personal Update–9/3/2015”
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6:21 I thought it was tough to do, and I think it would be tough to chew.
So sorry you are stuck with Seachickens on TV – too bad you can't eat them – they would have to be tastier than wagon wheels. Did you see where a judge overturned the NFL's four-game suspension of Tom Brady (Deflategate)? Also that apparently Trump has agreed to sign a GOP "loyalty pledge"? (Darn!!!)
I am sort of pooped too but have a long drive to look forward to tomorrow.
Rowan County, Kentucky issued marriage licenses this morning (Friday) – yay! I said it would take sending her to jail to get anything accomplished, and it did.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/09/04/with-defiant-clerk-in-jail
There are two petitions currently open asking the SPLC to investigate Fox News as a hate group –
https://www.change.org/p/southern-poverty-law-center-classify-fox-news-as-a-hate-group
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/FOXNews_hategroup/
If someone else hasn't already picked these up, I'll repeat them in today's open thread or update when I'm able to.
Also on Davis this morning: Kim Davis won't be getting Rich because GoFundMe has changed its policy
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/04/1418212/-Kim-Davis-won-t-be-getting-rich-because-GoFundMe-has-changed-it-policy?detail=email#
That's a relief! I wonder if the likes of Huckster Huckabee will claim discrimination because GoFundMe will not allow Davis to fleece the conservative sheeple? And the criminalisation of Christianity? I am an authentic Christian and I certainly don't feel discriminated against, nor do I feel that authentic Christianity is being criminalised. Pseudo Christianity is another matter. Pseudo Christians think they are having done to them all sorts of discrimination, but actually they are receiving the same kind of treatment as what they do to others. Now I call that justice.
Labor Day weekend has a history of R&R for worker bees and kitties–may it and football results restore your reserves.
Davis update: ordered jailed
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/us/kim-davis-same-sex-marriage.html?&_r=0
Thank you so much for the link, jla! I got a feeling that judge wasn't one to be triffled with!
He did RIGHT! If she can't do her job, impeach or remove or whatever they do when a county clerk WON'T do her job, regardless of her faith!!!!!
You are welcome Vivian
There was much cheering in our house when we heard the news. I am just sorry she is from Kentucky, our state gets so much poor PR as it is, when most of the people are great. and she is what makes the news for us..
Hallelujah!!!!!
This Kentucky Democrat is acting like a Republicanus/Teabaggerum. By refusing to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples on the grounds that doing so violates her religious freedom, she in turn is violating the religious freedom of others.
An email from the CA Kamala Harris campaign:
" “Public can now see California data on arrest and deaths in police custody” — LA Times, 9/2/15
J,
We wanted to make sure you saw the news. Kamala just unveiled her new OpenJustice initiative.
The California Department of Justice has collected criminal justice data, including in-custody deaths, arrests and police officers killed in the line of duty. Now, thanks to Kamala, that data is available online.
Transparency in government is essential. And being “smart on crime” means we need to measure our effectiveness with data-driven metrics.
Sign on today and show your support for transparency in our criminal justice system.
The OpenJustice initiative is a tool in the fight for a fairer and more effective criminal justice system.
Kamala knows sharing these numbers with the public puts the discussion about the relationship between law enforcement and communities front and center. It will make our communities safer.
Stand with Kamala. Show your support for more transparency in our criminal justice system.
Team Kamala"
4:29 The wheels came off my wagon.
3:56 Keep those wagons rolling!
3:30 Keep dem dogies rollin'!
Hope you're getting some well deserved rest! I know that has helped me these past 2 days. We'll see what tomorrow brings!
There is an art to doing nothing, TC – try it!
Just how embarrassing will the Donks be this year??? Finally someone listened to me and put Kubiak back in.
Glad to click on the link that jla had in her post! That is FANTASTIC! Shows that you can't just do that job any old way! You have to follow the LAW! No matter what you think about it! She was elected to the job and knew that there may be some things she wouldn't agree with, but would have to do ANYWAY, because it's the LAW!
Our governor and attorney general both told her that when she opted to refuse marriage licenses. She has been divorced four times, guess the only verse she read in Leviticus was the one about same sex partners.
Poor kitty is too pooped to pop! Hope you get to feeling better!
I hope the Broncos are on TV here! Church tonight will be a gag-fest if I have to watch another Sewchicken meeting! I am SICK of watching them. If not, I will be watching on Saturday ALSO!!!!
Somebody stole Oreo for that Picture!
Glad to see your fur is still in good condition TC – rest up, we all need rest from time to time!
Perhaps you rather not hear this, but I'm glad to see that you're taking good care of yourself and know when you set yourself as priority number one, TomCat. We don't have weekends for nothing, you know, and you're allowed to take it easy a few days a week too. So get all the rest you need and make sure you enjoy it too!
Up in northern Illinois getting ready to take my Mom for her annual physical. She really seems to have adapted to Assisted living well.
Getting the cat into the cage was a nightmare. I literally had to put on leather gloves to avoid being torn to shreds. He is fine once he is in the cage and in fact uses it as his refuge when the cleaning people come into my mom's apartment. But getting him In the cage is awful!
Brought my aunt along on the 400 mile ride so she can visit her sister – also my aunt. Nice to have some company on the long trip.
Will come back day after Labor day so I'll be scarce as I only have my phone to use.
Hope all your travel proves smooth and the gloves prove sufficient for the task.
from jl's keyboard to God's monitor (the real God, not the one Kim Davis thinks she worships.)
https://02varvara.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/00-andy-marlette-kentucky-fried-bigot-2015.jpg%3Fw%3D2100%26h%3D1600
LOL–thanks for the giggle Joanne
LOL! However, were I the God of Davis' bible, the angry, fear inducing God, I think I would have smote Davis a really good one . . . BBQ anyone?
So I need a name' had proplem with cat in carrier. Her,s how to do it. Stand carrier on edge. Opening at the top. Put kitty in Bottom first Quite easy, they cannot grab the door with their claws. Trust me this works. "( and I have some bloody minded cats!)
Avril, that is the way I get mine in the carrier, too. Works every time, with a minimal amount of scratches.
Has anyone heard from that Seahawks hating Puddy Tat? It's not like him to be away or at least not let us know how he is doing! Hopefully it wasn't the Seahawks swooping in as a matter of honour!
Not me. I think it is unusual, too.
He posted this 18 hours ago–let's give him a full day of R&R–24 hrs. worth at least.
In my concern for TC, I have reached out to Marva Dasef through FB. John and Marva have been friends with TC for years as I understand. I'll let you know when and if I get more info.
Thanks Lynn–it takes at least 24 hours before law enforcement will do a safety check usually and he did tell us obliquely that he wouldn't be here for a day. I expected him to watch the game, even though not his team last night.
TC posted 03/09/15 just before 10 am. It is now over 48 hours which is why I am so concerned.
The Care2 post said it was at 18 hours when I made the earlier post…didn't seem like a big delay between the PP and C2 posts, but C2 does have glitches. No major Portland power outages posted (I checked).
I share your concern. So I sent him a text message but I think it's a landlines number.
I just now called the number to share our concerns but only able to leave a message. I asked him to post something to let us know what he is up to.
Thank you for taking action with the contact information you have Nameless.
I had to go back a ways to get one of his posts. This is not like TC to not put something up on PP or C2. Anyone that hears from him, send me a note on C2.
Kinda worried about him, really. I hope he is just taking a good rest. His last post said he was REALLY pooped. Maybe he is just catnapping.
Thanks to everyone that is checking on him. I'm in OK, so it would be really hard to get anything done from here.
TomCat, send us a message on C2 or on PP soon! We miss your posts and YOU!
Thanks Nameless!
I just checked my e-mail, my Care2 e-mail, and FB but nothing from Marva. I do know she has been on FB quite a bit today.
And of course nothing from the Puddy Tat.
I don't know what else to do short of calling the police. He posted the Personal Update just before 10 am on 03/09/15 and it is about 60 hours, 72 hours tomorrow morning since the posting. That means that it is 48 hours since we would reasonably have heard from him.
I don't know his address but I think it is time to call the police for a safety check.
Lynn, Nameless, have you heard anything? I am worried, too.
I'm very worried too. There's only one time TC missed a day calling in on his blog, and that wasn't very long ago when his breathing was so bad he had to go into hospital for a day. He checked in immediately as soon as he got home to stop all of us from worrying. It may be something like that again and he's again unable to get to his blog from the hospital. It's very hard to instruct someone else to log onto it.
Is there anyone who knows Tom's address so one of us can get in touch with the local police and find out if he's been taken to hospital? I'm not sure if they're allowed to tell that to just a friend calling, but it might be a place to start.
I have a major update on TC:
My Mom just got off the phone w someone at his apartment building uilding named Scott. He told us that TC was taken to the hospital last night by ambulance.
He does not know why nor does he know what hospital.
If he went by ambulance they almost always go to the nearest hospital that would be able to provide services for what they found on their assessment.
I'm not a bit familiar with Portland to know where to start. But at least he is getting medical care.
Thanks for the update, Nameless. Our prayers are with TomCat.
I have a Care2 friend in Portland that I was thinking I could ask to help us but he would also need his address. Nameless, could you e-mail his address to me at winniegcat@care2.com and I'll check with my Care2 friend. I don't want to splash the info on the blog. I know TC's last name so this might be a good place to start.
Prayers have been rolling now for several days and won't stop!
Thank you and your Mom for trying to find out what happened to TomCat, Nameless, and for letting us know.
Yes–thanks so much.
Thanks for giving us the info. Prayers for TC. I hope we hear something soon.
Hi everybody!
I have sent a message to my Care2 friend who lives in Portland to see if he will help. When he messages me back agreeing to help, I'll give him name and address and we'll go from there. Unfortunately, it is a long weekend so people might not be about as much.
Thanks Nameless for the info. I sent a message back to you.
Thanks JL for the link. A lot of them are children's hospitals but checking some with TCs address.
I just heard from my Care2 friend and have sent him the relevant info. He will do some checking and get back to me. Hang tight and keep up the prayers. Blessings for Ron for his help.
Glad I could help.
Does anyone else remember if TC posted his address? Or did I just figure it out from all the pictures he posted of his new place? (Snoopy little thing aren't I?)
Maybe, but we love your snoopiness!
You are welcome Lynn. Nameless: the pictures included the street number and I think enough of what else was there that street could be identified from business names.
While we await further word, something wonderful to read as counterpoint to Davis:
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/10/1356783/-This-One-Picture-Will-REALLY-Piss-Off-Florida-Winguts?detail=emailclassic
Very cool! Blessings for them and their life together!
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
I just got off the telephone with TC and he is OK. Apparently he was feeling blah when he posted the Personal Update and called his doctor. He figured he could make it to the beginning of the week, but instead, he collapsed in the hall. He has some sort of infection and will likely be in the hospital for 3-4 days. A friend is taking his laptop to the hospital but it will take a day or so to update it before he can use it. The doctor never called back so you can be sure there will be some changes coming.
He was amazed that I was calling, and has not lost his sense of humour at all. When one of his nurses found out he was a political blogger, she asked what kind. She was extremely happy to hear that he is a liberal blogger . . . no Republicitis there!
For those of you for whom I have your personal e-mail, I will send you the hospital name and number so that if you want to call him, you can. I know he will enjoy hearing from you. Since the blog is an open forum, any info here is generic. I also toild him that prayers were being said and he very much appreciated hearing that.
Lynn – Thank you for the update on TC. Have been following all of you… Glad to hear that TC is in good hands. Hugzzz…
God is good and you are great Lynn! Thanks so much,
Thanks, Lynn, that is a great relief. Wonderful to know how he is,
I sent you my personal e mail
Thank you so much, Lynn and JL! I hope he gets better soon! Man, I hope that he knows how many people are pulling for him and wishing him the best! Maybe he won't have to stay long, (hope, hope)!!!
Lynn or jla, my email is jammer430@gmail.com and you can reach me there. I will keep checking it to see what all is going on.
Thank you so MUCH for checking on him! He is a priceless human being and I miss his crackling sense of humor!
GET WELL SOON, TC! I don't know what I'm doing on this Fantasy Football league! You know I've never done it before, LOL!!!!!
Decided to check in before going to bed, and I am glad I did! That's great news! Thanks for sharing! And thanks to your friend for doing the digging!
Please definitely do send the contact info – you have my address.
WHAT A RELIEF – I CAN GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP NOW!
I can't remember when I've used this many exclamation points! Is there a quota?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no quota that I can see–sleep well knowing you have made a difference today (and please also thank your mom from us)
Thank you Lynn and Nameless.
I'm sure I'm speaking for both of us – it was our pleasure, especially in light of such reassuring news.
Thank you Lynn! I actually thought of you because he sent you a mug , that you two obviously had addresses.
From my conversation with TC just to show you his sense of humour.
Lynn: I can tell that you haven't lost your sense of humour!
TC: I either have it or . . .
Lynn: A four letter word . . .
TC: Yup, and the first and last letters are the same . . .
Lynn: . . . and the middle two are the same as the middle two in 'please'!
TC: Yes! . . . d – e – a – d
I do hope you all are keeping up with the puzzles so that you can share your times when TC is back. Or, I will post my times, each puzzle in a new entry and you can hit 'reply' in the appropriate puzzle box. Then it will only be TC that has to catch up if he wants to do so.
I sent emails to JL, Nameless and Lona (maybe Lona can send him some powerfully refreshing cat naps!) and JD, yours is on the way.
Blessings to all of you. If you're like me, you'll sleep much better tonight knowing our Puddy Tat is getting the care he needs!
I sure will sleep better and will keep the prayers going even if I keep skipping the puzzles…and I suspect Lona's cat naps are safer/less risky than what the hospital would do if he complained about trouble sleeping…
This has been a real team effort! Thank you all!
Thanks, Lynn.
Thank you so MUCH, Lynn! I am ecstatic! Just knowing he is SAFE and secure makes me feel a lot better and I can sleep easier!
I bet he was surprised by all the inquiries in to his health! It's good to let him know how much he is needed and appreciated!
TC, rest and be sure that we are all here waiting for you when you get back!!
Peace and hugs to YOU, TC! I hope you have some warm sponge baths with the cutest nurse there is!!!!!
Three Horses Puzzle average 4:41
3:20 Moe, Larry and Curly
I put JD's time here because there are so many comments on this thread, they might get overlooked.
Friday 5:02 (4:41)
Horses — 4:00 I got bucked off.
Bloom Yellow Daiz average 4:54
3:43 Achooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
JD's puzzle time (see above)
Saturday 4:59 (4:54)
Yellow Flower — 3:45 I sneezed and lost a couple of steps to Lynn.
Sorry – have been away with computer problems and was very alarmed to see what has happened to TC.
Bloom Yellow Daiz puzzle 2.51, average 4.48 – see what all that adrenaline can do to my times!
Banggai Cardinalfish average 4:46
2:47 Pretty fishie!
JD's puzzle time (see above)
Sunday 4:41 (4:46)
Cardinalfish — 3:02 Never could swim very fast.
Medieval Timber Frame average 5:41
3:51 I'm as old as that frame!
Monday 5:59 (5:41) I'm not that old, I just FEEL that old.
Frame — 5:15 I'm older than the frame.
I can't tell you how glad I am with this news. Thanks Lynn and Nameless for all your trouble. Isn't the internet (and social media) a wonderful thing?
And isn't TomCat a silly cat, surprised that you tried and found him in the hospital after a whole posse went out to look for him. Doesn't that man know how much we care for him and how much joy his blog gives us? I'm so happy he's all right, but I do hope he listens to his body more carefully in the future. He had a lot of stress these past months and exhaustion was a telltale sign his body was having a hard time coping. Prolonged stress is terrible for the immune system and makes a body so much more vulnerable for infections and diseases.
But for now he's in good hands and I hope the nurses pamper him silly. Meanwhile my extra strength Aussie catnaps should have arrived for him to enjoy.
I was able to get through this morning and he said that the number of people who care is "fucking amazing." I told him he is pretty amazing himself. I thought I'd better call right away or my PTSD would kick in and I'd chicken out. While I am here, I'll post some puzzle times –
Friday 5:02 (4:41)
Saturday 4:59 (4:54)
Sunday 4:41 (4:46)
I haven't done it today (Monday) yet so I'll be back.
I moved your puzzle times up with mine so that they would not get lost in all the comments.
And I put today's up with yours. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the update from your call Joanne!
Hi All,
I just talked with TomCat's nurse. Our prayers should include full recovery from tofay's surgery. With the sedation, she indicated he wouldn't be up to talking on the phone for at least a few days. She expects it to be at least a couple weeks before he'll be able to return home so I intend to send card(s).
Lynn & JD–I emailed you, too since I had your emails
Thanks, Jl.
You are welcome Edie
What kind of surgery did he have? I must've missed that part somewhere.
I hope it went well and he is better! More thoughts and prayers goin his way!
Thanks again, JL A!
Vivian, you did not miss anything. JD is correct. We do not have enough info and we are trying to respect TC's privacy as much as possible. That is something he and I spoke about when I first talked to him. Also, we all have to remember that his blog is in the public domain.
Keep those prayers rolling.
Thanks, Lynn. I forgot about the public domain thing, also! Wow. Send messages to my Care2 messages. Thank you!
It was exploratory surgery on his leg. And since it was exploratory, we really don't know yet. I'm sure the nurse wouldn't tell JL what if anything was found. I'm sorry, Vivian, I mentioned to JL that it was in the cards but didn't post it here since I didn't think I knew enough. And still don't. JL, thanks for the update. I am impressed they did it so fast and on a holiday, but not sure whether that is a good or a bad thing.
You are welcome Joanne. You are correct Joanne–she gave me very little information and instead was trying to get/verify as much information as possible. OR has some of the better coordinated health care arrangements of our states so the speed factor could well be their quality and not grounds for concern.
Good news for Labor Day just received via email:
"Today is a historic day. We wanted you to be among the first to know that this morning in Boston, President Obama will announce a series of actions to make our country more family friendly.
In the strongest executive action he can take to help reduce the appalling number of workers who cannot earn a single paid sick day, the president is issuing an executive order requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to allow all employees who work on their federal contracts to earn paid sick time. When it takes effect in 2017, an estimated 300,000 more workers will earn paid sick time, and others will have access to more paid sick time than they do now.
This will mean fewer people go to work when they are contagious — fewer sick children go to day care or school — and fewer seniors miss medical appointments they need.
It will mean healthier families and communities, improved public health, and a stronger economy.
Watch President Obama’s speech live at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live at 11:00 a.m. ET.
The president is also joining the call — by the National Partnership and a growing chorus of advocates for women, children, seniors and businesses, leaders of health, medical and faith-based groups, economists and academics — to urge Congress to pass a national paid family and medical leave law that covers workers when they need longer term time off to care for babies, recover from serious illnesses, or care for family members with serious health conditions.
The Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, the leading congressional proposal, would create a national paid family and medical leave insurance program that ensures workers access to paid leave no matter where they live, who they work for, or what job they hold. It is long overdue.
These initiatives have long been high on the National Partnership’s agenda, and we are immensely proud to have President Obama’s support.
Thank you for helping make this day possible. We have a lot more work ahead, but we wouldn’t have gotten this far without you!
Sincerely,
Debra Ness
President "
I am delighted by the action with mixed feelings about the timing – it reminds me of the 1918 Armistice (no, I wasn't actually there, I just feel like it sometimes.)
My mixed feelings relate more to effective date being after he has left office (2017)…
Yes JL, that is a big factor, depending on who wins the office next time, it can all be trashed.
Very good news!
Living in Canada, I have had such benefits since 1972. The 1st year I worked, I had no time off for illness, but things started changing after that. I remember going to work, not fit, but I needed my income. For me, it was gout that kept me off my feet in a time when bank tellers did not sit. I wore my stepfather's heavy grey/white/red wool socks inside canvas money bags because my feet were so swollen that my shoes did not fit. I was absent 33 days in 24 years, many of those years without any absences.
Update related to a past discussion:
I just got a lengthy email from Alan Grayson saying he will support the deal. The email ends like this:
"
I wish that these negotiations had been used as a vehicle to bring peace to the region. But it’s too late for that now. The immediate question is a simple one: Is it more dangerous to have an agreement, or to have no agreement?
On the evidence I see, it’s more dangerous to have no agreement. So I will be voting in favor of the Iran nuclear agreement.
Courage,
Rep. Alan Grayson
A shlekhter sholem iz beser vi a guter krig.
(A bad peace is better than a good war.)
– Yiddish Proverb"
A video by the prisoner plaintiffs on their ending solitary confinement in CA case:
http://ccrjustice.org/home/get-involved/tools-resources/videos/after-decades-solitary-they-joined-forces-here-s-what
TC will "like" this news which is long over due!
When someone does something wrong in the eyes of the law, there are consequences. But in my opinion, as much as possible, rehabilitation and redemptive justice should be the goal. Ending solitary confinement is a step in the right direction.
I bet he was surprised by all the inquiries in to his health! It's good to let him know how much he is needed and appreciated!
TC, rest and be sure that we are all here waiting for you when you get back!!
Peace and hugs to YOU, TC! I hope you have some warm sponge baths with the cutest nurse there is!!!!!
My earlier reply was supposed to go to a different post.
Now, there will be a LOT of people celebrating when that law takes effect! Most people will get out some day and they need life skills to contend with the world as it is today. Some haven't been in the world for decades, they will be out some time and they won't I ow what hit them if they get to the street without some kind of REHAB!
Thanks for the news, jla!!.
You are welcome Vivian!
http://www.upworthy.com/40-years-ago-a-gay-couple-applied-for-a-marriage-license-she-approved-it?c=upw1&u=6ffb12f2d750fff1c628f4ed4366938bb526f1d5
An interesting piece of CO history
That was great! How many people know of Clela Rorex? Not enough I venture! Here is a woman that quit her job because she had principles that conflicted with her job. Kim Davis, bigot that you are, could learn so much from this lady on more than one front!
Amen!
A piece of Colorado history I did not know about! Well, I am a transplant – we'll blame it on that. Thank you so much!
You are welcome Joanne!
I posted this to Care2 but I thought you might be interested. Talk about an inspirational kid and his teacher that did't know the word "No".
http://www.upworthy.com/he-didnt-want-to-quit-band-so-his-teacher-helped-figure-out-a-way-to-keep-him-playing?c=reconDFP
Thanks for sharing this story of how all parts of education can and should be equally accessable to students with disabilities!
Can't type – something in my eye.
That is a wonderful story, thanks for sharing it..
Kayak Lomond average 6:56
2:55 That average seems rather high . . . did somebody's kayak overturn?
4:49 (6:56) The average does seem high. Maybe some were trying to use an icebreaker with it and got weighed down. Who knows
Good news – in the kerfuffle it got past our radar that Senator Bennet came out Friday in support of the Iran deal. I have been so upset with him, and am now so relieved, that I sent him a "thank you" note from his web page. His desicion will bring him a challenge from a filthy rich Republican opponent, who stated whether he would run was contingent on Bennet's vote on Iran, but that may not be a bad thing, and may even be a good thing.
An email today said the count is now 42 in favor of the deal–and my emails include statements from both of TC's senators explaining why they are supporting the deal…
3:17 I had trouble dragging the kayak into the water.
Thanks, jla, for makingthe call to the hospital, finding out how TomCat is, and giving us all an update while respecting his privacy as much as possible. I'm sure your efforts are well appreciated by both Tom and all of us.
I haven't any prayers to offer him, but he's in my thoughts all the time.
You are welcome Lona. It sure sounded like he was taking advantage of the catnaps you sent.
Starting a new thread for TC progress reports. In case any who are checking on him are unfamiliar with ICU policies, they usually limit visitors to family and pastors, when desired, with a very short time limit (e.g., 10 minutes) and often only one at a time. There can be policies forbidding (scented) flowers in the rooms. Patient phones are often turned off. Many factors related to ICU placement will require at least 72 hours or more monitoring before medically a change in status may become known; thus it us unlikely any of us will have updated progress information to share for several days. Keep the prayers going, if you are so inclined–he appreciates them.
But you can ask for the ICU nurse before or instead of trying to get through, and be confident any message will be relayed eventually. I am certainly not suggesting we flood ICU with calls and tie them up; cards would be better; but if one actually needs the nurse it might not hurt to just mention his blog is read nationally and internationally. And, speaking of cards, is it possible to post a mailing address for him? Or should anyone wanting to send one email you, Lynn, for the address? You did give me the hospital name in a private communication, but I don't want to break confidentiality. As was pointed out above, the blog is public domain.
Daily Kos is reprising past Colbert winners in honor of his debut–I suspect TC would have provided something in this arena, so am providing one:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/28/1087135/-PRICELESS-Colbert-Rips-David-Koch-to-His-Face-at-TIME-Magazine-Gala?detail=email
A country showing compassion and leadership:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/06/1418958/-Sweden-Did-Something-Really-Incredible-To-Help-Syrian-Refugees?detail=email
Grab your tissues:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/04/1418372/-President-Obama-s-incredible-response-to-an-Iranian-boy-s-photo-on-Facebook?detail=email
Loved this
Hanky time! Great story.
I grew up in a "no longer viable" apricot orchard and thought I would never want to see another one – but I want one if this kid is habding them out. They would be special.
And for those who prefer Bill to Colbert:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/30/1416813/-Bill-Maher-ridicules-Rick-Santorum-on-climate-change-and-more?detail=email
And finally–related to Kim Davis:
https://medium.com/@GavinNewsom/don-t-compare-me-to-kim-davis-2274cf53ebf4
And especially for Lynn and others north of the border:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/08/1419330/-Stephen-Harper-s-Conservatives-Pissing-Off-Canadians-One-Mug-At-A-Time?detail=email
I saw the story elsewhere yesterday. Disgusting, eh!
That is an excellent piece . . . the author talks my language. And yes, peegate is very much alive and drowning Harper and his harlots!
Thanks for the chuckles!
Canada is officially in a recession and Harper is avoiding the word because "I think it’s more important to describe the reality of the situation, rather than to have labels.” I hope that the majority of Canadians now see how condescending that is, how little Harper thinks of them if he thinks that not mentioning the word "recession" will fool people into thinking all is (still) well.
Let's hope Canadians do not make the same mistake again in these elections. I fully agree with the author of the article as he rightly observes: "I'm very fond of Canada and its people. They deserve a lot better."
Thanks jla for posting.
You are welcome Lona.
Excellent!
Thanks for making me glad I posted some links Edie. A part of me feels like things that help him keep his statistics up is one thing we can do for him right now.
Am still praying for your cousin, too, Edie. I hope his recovery is continuing as expected or better.
Thanks, JL, Phillip is still in ICU but in what they call a "step down" room, which means not a glass enclosure, so his wife can stay with him all day. He is still not doing very well, had an allergic reaction to a med yesterday and hallucinated. The doctors say it will be 4 to 6 weeks before he gets out of ICU, and then he will need surgery on his hands. At this point, I am glad he is alive, but he still has a long way to go.
I'm sorry he had that problem–I know people who hallucinated from morphine in the hospital and it is hard to watch. Yes, a long and challenging journey. Yet the greater freedom and support of the new room should help.
So true. I heard on the news today that the judge released Davis from jail because he believed that her deputies would carry on issuing marriage licenses despite what Davis might do. If Davis interferes, she'll go back to jail.
As Jon Davidson of Lambda Legal pointed out, had a Quaker official not issued a gun permit based on his pacifist religion, there would be all sorts of fallout. No difference in my mind.
Her clerks have been issuing marriage licenses, and she has not returned to work yet. She maintains that the licenses are illegal because she didn't issue them. There is a rumor that she plans to fire the clerks who issued licenses. That should send her back to jail. In the meantime, Huckabee and Cruz are getting free coverage from the press for supporting this "Christian".
So sad she doesn't see her glaring conflict between her stated position and her oath of office.
I thought you all would welcome this taste of who Gavin is since he is running for Governor of CA (remember we have open primaries). Of additional interest to TC is that his time as Mayor of San Francisco overlapped with Kamala Harris's time as District Attorney when the court ordered SF to come up with something to reduce jail overcrowding and birthed drug and alcohol treatment program intake on demand via laptops in the parks and public places along with mobile van needle exchanges. Thus, should he be elected, he might diverge from Brown's prison building approach to our criminal justice system challenges.
Jerry Brown has so disappointed me as Governor. I held out for him at the state Dems convention in '92 when the party wanted to make it unanimous for Bill Clinton. Lately, I have commented on more than one petition to him that, if I had known he was going to do (whatever the petition is about), I wouldn't have bothered. Mr. Newsom sounds promising. I wish him the best.
I liked Jerry better the first time he served–but he did managed to get CA out of the recession job losses mode faster than most states with his push for clean energy jobs. Criminal justice, water and oil industry issues have been disappointments.
Of course you all know that Canada is in the midst of a federal election campaign . . . all 11 weeks of it! Here is a letter of gratitude to Herr Harper from 2 doctors. I think this one gives competition to Andy Borowitz.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dr-hasan-sheikh/chris-alexander-refugees_b_8093746.html
Excellent article by Dr. Alex Caudarella and Dr. Hasan Sheikh. It's enough tongue-in-cheek to keep you reading, but very much to the point at the same time. They expose the hypocrisy of the current Canadian government and shame both Harper and Alexander in a "gentlemanly fashion".
Thanks for posting, Lynn
Thanks Lynn. I agree Lona–yet I find I want to grab that hanky as I think of the children and their parents.
An email I got this morning indicates that grassroots efforts have changed the conversation in Australia so that they now are planning to take in 12,000 Syrian refugees.
I'm sure this time it wasn't the same email:
http://wellthisiswhatithink.com/2015/09/09/lightthedark/
It's a beautiful success story–thanks for sharing all its beauty with everyone here Joanne–gives one hope for humanity again…may other countries become similarly transformed.
I'm so proud of my second homeland. Despite having elected a terrible government a few years ago (we've all been there, it seems) which takes its lead from American Republicans and have literally pushed the US into inviting them to join in bombing of Syria, many Aussies have had enough of Tony Abbott and his antic and have put the pressure on him a while back. Because he has advertised for an invitation to start bombing in Iraq – he announced yesterday that his government would accept the invitation – I betLlabour has made him pay through the nose for agreeing with that and accept 12,000 Syrian refugees. Good on ya, Aussies!
Lynn, so sorry that you have the same Pols as we do, I always thought Canada was ahead of us. These doctors made clear what a sham his policies are.
Speaking of Gavin Newsome: This came to me in the email yesterday. This is an article as mentioned by jla in #35 and I decided to quote the entire note verbatim here in PP.
Don’t Compare Me To Kim Davis
They’re at it again. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s definitive ruling on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, apologists for hate are equating my 2004 decision to have the City and County of San Francisco issue marriage licenses to all loving couples with last week’s decision by a Kentucky county clerk to refuse marriage certificates to loving same-sex couples.
On ABC’s This Week, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee wondered why Kim Davis was in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and I was not for doing just the opposite:
You’ve got Democrats who ignored the law when it was the law to have traditional marriage, Gavin Newsom in San Francisco as mayor, performed same-sex weddings even though it was illegal. Did he ever get put in jail? He most certainly did not.
Here are some facts:
1. On February 12, 2004, I ordered the clerk of the City and County of San Francisco to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. I believed that the law on the books at that time, defining marriage between a man and a woman, violated the equal protection clause of the California State Constitution.
2. Citizens challenge the constitutionality of local, state and federal laws all the time. They have that right. That is how our system of democratic governance works. The matter is then handed to the courts to determine the constitutionality of a law.
3. One month and 4,000 marriages after we started, the California Supreme Court ordered the City and County of San Francisco to stop issuing licenses to same-sex couples. We complied with the court’s order immediately.
That’s it, and therein lies the key difference: We did not issue one more license after we received that order from the California Supreme Court. Because the Supreme Court is charged with interpreting the constitution, I could not, in my mind, object to its order — its order is law.
Kim Davis was in jail because she was in contempt of court. She defied the ruling of a federal judge, was given ample room to comply and was finally thrown in jail after she failed to do so. The same would have happened to me had I continued to order the clerk to issue marriage licenses in defiance of the California Supreme Court’s order.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges did not order individuals to perform or recognize same-sex marriages; it ordered state governments to legally recognize same-sex marriages. As the clerk for Rowan County, Ms. Davis took an oath of office where she swore to support the U.S. Constitution — the same constitution that gives the Supreme Court final word on all constitutional matters.
Ms. Davis would like to act as a martyr, but no one has forced her to issue marriage licenses to anyone. She had two very clear choices that would have allowed her to maintain her religious liberty. First, she could have resigned. Second, Judge Bunning told her that he would release her from jail if she would simply allow her deputies to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and not interfere in any way — but she pointedly said that she would interfere and order them not to issue licenses to same-sex couples.
San Francisco’s Winter of Love in 2004 expanded civil rights and furthered the pursuit of liberty and justice for all. The state that prohibited James and John to marry could not prove harm caused to others resulting from their union. In complete contrast, County Clerk Kim Davis’ refusal to allow same-sex couples their constitutional right to marry has the effect of curtailing civil rights and harming those whose love she deems inferior.
I challenge Governor Huckabee and all of Kim Davis’ supporters to think about this question that was posed by Jon Davidson of Lambda Legal:
I have to wonder: just how many of those supporting Kentucky clerk Kim Davis’s refusal to issue marriage licenses based on her religious objection to same-sex couples marrying would support a Quaker government official who refused to issue them gun permits based on a religious commitment to pacifism?
Here’s what I know for sure — while history is not always written by the victors, and while justice delayed is justice denied, one outcome is always certain: In our democracy, tolerance will defeat bigotry, equality will overcome injustice, and love will triumph over hate.
If you have any doubt about that, just look at the picture at the top of this post of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, a couple who, after being together for 50 years, finally had the opportunity to have their love recognized by the county they lived in — a right so many of us have taken for granted.
PHOTO:
https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*yEq9G7Vm3wNNQrGE3GNn5w.gif
NEWS LINK;
https://medium.com/@GavinNewsom/don-t-compare-me-to-kim-davis-2274cf53ebf4
Thanks Jim–a picture well worth a thousand words at your link!
I had read this earlier, Jim, and I don't blame him for not wanting to be compared to Kim Davis, no one in their right mind would!
Wednesday 9/9 – 4:47 (4:24) My light on the subject is that it takes that long just to move the pieces across the board.
Occupy Our Homes sent out this this morning –
http://start2.occupyourhomes.org/petitions/stand-with-93-yr-old-mattie-jackson-community-hero
Grrrrrr!
Petition signed with this comment: "Build the "pond" in the Turner Field and leave Mattie Jackson and her neighbors alone."
Love your petition comment Jim!
Thanks Joanne–I signed via email this morning!
Signed! Seniors like Mattie Jackson are the soul of a community. Their wisdom and experiences educate younger generations.
Puzzle — Ivy Lamp Roof average 4:24
2:41 Fortunately, I did not slip on the tile roof! Will Jerry come by and push me?
I would have understood if the council needed a flood pond because of climate change, as is happening here on a large scale, but it turns out they need to build it to correct a mistake they made when constructing the huge parking area around a stadium.
Go and correct your own mistakes elsewhere, and leave community hero Mattie Jackso to live out her life in peace in her own home.
Thanks Jla for catching me up about Tom. He'll be pleased I've been working hard for Bernie. Prayer tie has been made and he is certainly in my most positive thoughts.
You are welcome Dandelion
A win-win kind of story:
http://www.upworthy.com/a-common-ingredient-in-cosmetics-is-helping-to-lift-rural-women-out-of-poverty?c=upw1&u=6ffb12f2d750fff1c628f4ed4366938bb526f1d5
I probably eat more than I put on my skin, but either way, how nice that something is working.
How do you use it for food? Replacing what would be oil or butter in a recipe?
Thanks for this jla – with all the petitions we get daily to right the multititude of hideous and appalling wrongs in the world, it is lovely to see something working for people's good for a change!
Wonderful to see how these women have kept the shea butter production in the hands of women and are doing well. Let's hope some global corporation like Unilever doesn't get its greedy claws on it.
Thanks jla for posting.
You are welcome Pat and Lona
Thought provoking:
http://www.upworthy.com/this-artists-illustrations-of-monsters-teach-us-a-valuable-lesson-about-empathy?c=upw1&u=6ffb12f2d750fff1c628f4ed4366938bb526f1d5
Reminds me of an early Star Trek episode – I think it was the one the Vulcan Mind /meld was introduced on. The "monster" was just a mother defending her babies.
That rings a bell! I remember how empathic Spock seemed.
For all you FF players, in case you didn't see:
Is Fantasy Football Changing the NFL?
http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/is-fantasy-football-changing-the-nfl-20150828
Also, get your teams set as the games have begun! Remember, TomCat's Teabag Trashers are out gunning for all the other teams. That Puddy Tat won't give up first place without a real cat fight!
And for those watching and analyzing the Pope and his influence:
http://www.thenation.com/article/how-pope-francis-came-to-embrace-not-just-climate-justice-but-liberation-theology/
Sadly most of us have grown up to learn that the monsters under our bed weren't half as monstrous as the many of our own kind.
UPDATE ON TC STATUS ~ UPDATE ON TC STATUS
It took some doing and workarounds, but I was able to contact the ICU at Legacy Good Samaritan at 4:00 PM CDT just now and spoke w/ a nurse or ward clerk who said that TC had JUST come back from (?another) surgery, and so his nurse would not be able to talk to anyone for several hours.
No more medical information available
Also able to contact the Supervisor/Manager of his apartment building, and she shared that they were, in deed, aware of his being in the ICU at Legacy Good Samaritan
She also shared that nothing was needed to be done from their standpoint WRT his apartment.
Thanks ever so much for the update Nameless!
Thanks, Nameless. I hope all went well. He sure has been in there a long time. He is being well taken care of! And we are all pulling for his recovery!
If you get a chance to pass along anything to the ICU, tell them that he was a huge team out here all over the world worried and praying that he will get better, so take EXCELLENT care of our Best Buddy!
Thanks so much for all your work to keep us updated and please know how much we ALL appreciate it!
Thanks again!
Thanks, Nameless for the update. I thought about calling and pretending I was his sister, but I am sure my drawl would not convince them. I really wish we could find out how he is.
Edie, I figure up to 72 hours for the anesthesia to be sufficiently gone for a clearer picture on recovery/when he might be able to talk himself. We might get an updated prediction about then from someone.
Thanks for the update, Nameless and the trouble you went through to make sure TomCat's apartment is still his when he comes back to it.
I gather the first surgery TomCat had was exploratory, perhaps the one you've found out about is the real thing. Let's hope all went well and he'll be on the mend now.
Thank you beyond words! Several of us were worrying about his apartment. Now we can rest on that issue.
Thank you for your update, Nameless. I appreciate it.
What a great bunch of people you are!!! I'm so glad I came back here and clicked on the comments and found that I wasn't the only person worried sick that TC hadn't posted since the 3rd. Thank you all for tracking him down and making sure he is okay.
Glad to hear he's being taken care of, the last I saw was the post in which he said he was really tired, being a male of a certain age, I actually know what being tired can really mean, so it is just really good to know he's, if not 100%, at least in a place where they can make him so. We can wait, TC, just heal. :^) gene
If anyone does manage to speak directly to him please tell him Dandelion says hey, and keeping him in her prayers. Thanks for update.
Dandelion, I think all of us calling, intend to share with him the outpouring of care, concern, prayers, etc. with names as much as circumstances permit us when we can speak with him again.
Good advice Gene!
Sorry everyone – have been away with computer problems and was very alarmed to see what has happened to TC. What a relief you are all such good detectives and have managed to find out where TC lives, what happened to him and which hospital he is in. Thank the Lord he is getting such good care. (Now I know of his situation he is of course on my prayer list and I will ask others to pray too).
Glad you are OK Pat A.!
A petition related to legislation Bernie just introduced:
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6405/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11632
MAJOR TC UPDATE ~ MAJOR TC UPDATE
I shared w/ Lynn via email that I have a special phone that allows me to somewhat communicate w/ people. I just now (10:30 AM CDT on Thursday, 9/10/15) got off the phone w/ TC’s nurse (Adam – but this is the first day he’s had TC as a patient, and so only taken care of him for an hour or so).
Adam said that he had an I&D (Incision and drainage) of his left thigh and debridement of his left foot yesterday. Those procedures have been done before, but he’s not sure how often, he’d have to check the chart.
He remains intubated and sedated, and is only able to communicate by opening/closing his eyes.
They plan to do more debridement tomorrow.
The cultures have not shown anything yet, but he’s on three antibiotics.
He said his COPD has not been a major issue.
He then let me talk to one of his physicians – Dr. Mike something (couldn’t understand)
Dr. Mike was very informative – but I had a very difficult time understanding both of them. And I was AMAZED at how patient both he and Adam were with me, as they frequently had to repeat things multiple times.
TC was initially found unresponsive at his apartment. They do NOT know the direct cause, but do feel that he’s currently in septic shock – which is the most likely cause.
He said TC’s major problem is his hypotension (NOT hyper- but HYPOtension), and is on a regimen of pressor agents to keep his blood pressure up – which is an ongoing problem.
He did say he had some type of cranial scan (not sure if MRI or CT) on admission – but it did not show any problems (good news).
He’s very concerned with his ongoing hypotension in respect to the working diagnosis of septic shock.
Wow Nameless–you sure succeeded in getting more information than often is the case! Thanks ever so much! Sounds like TC will be incommunicado (the tubes) until there is no more to drain via the I&D surgical procedures.
Thanks for the additional information. Septic shock is serious so will keep him in my prayers and he at least is where he is suppose to be to get the needed care at this time. I'm glad the hospital staff were patient with you, which leads me to think they are doing their best for TC.
Nancy W. let me know she is following what is going on, but her efforts to post comments here from her phone haven't been working for awhile, including just a few minutes ago.