I slept poorly last night, because the druggies partied into the wee hours on the street below and made a lot of noise. So I took another Lona nap this morning. Store to door called and I gave them my grocery order.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:18 (average 5:49). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: Charles and David Koch, the billionaire industrialists who have spent decades acquiring a world-class collection of Republicans, revealed over the weekend that they are considering purchasing their first Democrat.
“We’ve always bought Republicans, and our father bought Republicans before us,” Charles, the elder Koch, said. “They’re bred to be obedient, and they respond to simple commands.”
He said that he and his brother had considered acquiring a Democrat only after determining that none of the Republicans on offer this year was worth adding to their collection.
Fortunately, Andy, both Bernie and Hillary are too principled to become Koch suckers.
From Daily Kos: James Van Kuilenburg, a trans teenager, attended a Ted Cruz rally with his mother on Thursday. His goal was to hear what Ted Cruz had to say, but also, as The Frederick News-Post reported, "to show Cruz supporters that rhetoric about gay and transgender rights hurts real people, like him."
Republicans consider the First Amendment their exclusive property. Nobody else may exercise it.
From Upworthy: Witness this amazing letter he wrote in 1790 to the largest Jewish community in America at the time, the Hebrew congregation of Newport, Rhode Island. The Newport Jews had sent a message to Washington, basically congratulating him on being awesome.
A few days later, Washington responded (emphasis mine):
Gentlemen:
While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.
The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy — a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.
May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants — while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
G. Washington
Now try to imagine a similar epistle coming from a President Fecal Dump Trump or a President TRUSed Uranus Cruz to America’s largest Muslim community. Then vote in November!
Cartoon:
15 Responses to “Open Thread–4/26/2016”
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I can't even imagine Herr Drumpf being able to READ Washington's letter, let alone understand it.
Spent a delightful AWOL day yesterday at the Kansas City Zoo. I had gotten a free pass (the county voted a special tax for the Zoo recently), and took my aunt who uses a walker to get around.
It's been overn 20 years since my last visit, and boy what a pleasant surprise! We were both amazed at how much the Zoo has improved. We especially enjoyed watching the feeding of the cold-water penguins, the elephants and the sea lion show. And actually enjoyed the overpriced hot dog and French fries for lunch, which were surprisingly good!
We had a great day, and it will NOT be 20 years until I visit again!
Funny, I went to a wedding at the Bronx zoo, last August, after having grown up within walking distance therefrom; had lst been there when my 31 year old was in a stroller. It was also a wonderful experience, and the reception wasin the former Elephant House!
Every time I come across an "Elephant" reference, I can't help but remember the photo of that "Professional Elephant Poop Catcher".
It just cracks me up every time.
Now THAT is a shitty job! Gives new meaning to the expression "shit bricks"!
On our day at the Zoo I learned that an average elephant eats 115 pounds of food a day! Mostly hay, but their favorite treats are watermelons – rind and all!
NYer: LOL, Andy….this is funny!! Money can buy a lot of things, but not our Dems.
DK: What an intelligent comment from this young man who is trans. Shows the level of hate and bias from Cruz and others, towards people who are standing up for their rights. Hope they got their money back.
Upworthy: They (Repugs) would do well to read, and re-read this from our first President. If only they would heed these words. I've bookmarked it too.
Cartoon: I remember this tragedy well. So very sad. My granddaughter is doing a report on this very topic in science class. ''The total death toll from cancer from the accident is projected to reach 4,000 for people exposed to high doses of radiation, and another 5,000 deaths among those who had less radiation exposure, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations and the World Health Organization." usatoday
5:37 Apparently not all silver fish are silver, which I guess is fair; not all goldfish are gold either.
New Yorker – Well. Of course if you're buying the whole person the pricing is one thing. If you are buying brains, however, I would think the Republican ones would be an order of magnitude more pricey, because they have never been used.
DKos – Showing the bigots a real human being only moves hearts if you can get them to actually look. And Cruz just wouldn't. Period.
Upworthy – OK, this made me check to see if there were any raw cut onions in the house. How desperately we need to have this attitude and keep it going forward! I would also be well for us to remember that – although many conversions have perhaps made it less obvious – the Muslim base also comprises "children of the stock of Abraham." Christianity is the third Abrahamic religion. Why must we act like Cain and Abel instead of like the Maccabees?
Cartoon – I don't believe it. They would keep the 3-legged ones themselves and fob the poor off with one- or no-legged ones.
Nameless – such a good day – I'm glad you were able to have it!
"?..I because the druggies partied into the wee hours on the street below and made a lot of noise."
Try calling the cops. That's what I would do.
AB always welcome.
James showed more maturity than the others in the story IMO.
We once elected presidents who were statesmen and who were qualified to draft the constitution and thus understood it and their job…getting the money problem out of our elections might return us to having a chance to attract and elect such persons most typically again.
Washington's letter: Nothing remotely like this is going to come from any REpig I know of; perhaps no Dem, either. The last statesman like Republican president may have been Eisenhower, whose presence on coinage has been blissfully forgotten in the craziness about the Tubman $20.
Going to a Cruz rally, flying the Trans flag is a bit like a hen walking into the fox' den, and saying "Wha's up, dude?" Still, actually evicting him is what one would expect of them, other than a beating. Oh, no that's at a Rump rally.
New Yorker: What Joanne said!!!
The New Yorker: With the Republicans they have to choose from, it would be wise to try to buy a Democrat. I doubt either Bernie or Hillary would be interested.
DK: Very brave of James to do this, he could have been injured. I just cannot understand the outrage and hatred being shown to Trans people.
UPworthy: Washington was so eloquent, and so right. I doubt any of our current politicians could write this.
Cartoon: Chernobly was one of the worst days in history. I read that it will be 300 years before the contamination is gone.
From FRONTLINE, there is this "Return to Chernobyl 360°" This is awesome! You will need a good browser for this 360 degree views. Even if you are not on Facebook, you can see the views. Use your mouse to move around including the ground and the sky. Yes, there are human beings in this video. lol. Use your full screen for best results.
https://www.facebook.com/frontline/videos/10153495598066641/?permPage=1
Be sure to click the other link for more 360° videos.
Book – Chernobyl LegacyPaul Fusco. "Chernobyl Legacy" is a deeply powerful and moving book that portrays the terrible consequences of the greatest technological disaster of the twentieth century – the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. Haunting B & W Photos:
http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?ALID=2K7O3RSPPMM&VP3=SearchResult
"The lies that killed people at Three Mile Island 36 years ago on March 28, 1979 are still being told at Chernobyl, Fukushima, Diablo Canyon, Davis-Besse … and at TMI itself."
"As the first major reactor accident that was made known to the public is sadly commemorated, and as the global nuclear industry collapses, let’s count just 36 tip-of-the iceberg ways the nuclear industry’s radioactive legacy continues to fester:"
Facts:
36 Years of Three Mile Island’s Lethal Lies … and Still Counting [with other nuclear disasters]. http://ecowatch.com/2015/03/27/three-mile-island-36-anniversary/
These are some of the reasons why nuclear power plants must not be built in US. No more nuclear power plants! Don't forget about the problem of storing spent fuel rods and leaking containers.
Support renewable power sources such as wind power, solar panels, other renewable sources.
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Puzzle — 3:08 No fishies tonight!
The New Yorker — I could see the Kochs going after DINO Mary Landrieu who is "The former Democratic senator from Louisiana now courts potential energy clients for her new lobbying job, …" if she decided to run again. But Bernie, never, and Clinton, not likely.
Daily Kos — An articulate young man who showed guts and poise. Cruz is a crass bigot and certainly not an authentic Christian.
Upworthy — I'm with Joanne on this one.
Cartoon — The disaster that keeps on giving. If a Republican wins the White House, there will be more nuclear wastelands courtesy of some hair triggers.
Another batch of catnaps coming up, TomCat. Can't have you drowsy and exhausted all day because some people thought it was nice to party under your window all night.
THY: That was really funny, Andy and spot-on as usual, but not if you're a Republican. I suppose in the most positive way you could read the distinctions of their desired pedigree as that of a horse, but I think most will read it as a that of a very obedient lap dog. It must be a special Koch breed as there are not many of those about. No wonder they're looking for a Democratic strain to buy now. Not that they'd find any of the desired traits in Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.
DK: James Van Kuilenburg was kicked out of Ted Cruz's rally for one reason and one reason only: bigotry, even hate of LGBT people. He was not given any valid reason for being asked to leave, only made-up excuses. Kudos for standing up for his first amendment right and speaking out on the street against them being violated as well as being discriminated against because he's transgender.
Upworthy: " [they]enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support." Ah, yes, them good ol' days, where have they gone? It seems as if only bigots and haters can expect to exercise their rights and even go beyond that without repercussion nowadays. If some Americans can't be stopped from turning back the clock, then please make sure they do it to the right era: the 1790s and NOT the 1690s of Salem's witch trials.
Cartoon: The sarcophagus in which the reactor is embedded now will hold for about another 70 years, so future generations better get their thinking cap on how to contain or neutralize the radiation that will start leaking with undiminished strength by then.
Thanks all. Hugs!!