It’s a frustrating day, here in the CatBox. John, my thoracic surgeon called. After addressing my case with a panel of around 30 other thoracic specialists, they reached the conclusion that I probably have cancer after all. To be sure, they will schedule me for a PET scan and a brain MRI. Depending on those results, I’ll most likely have to undergo radiation and/or chemo. I’m not a happy camper right now, but happy Hump Day to you. At least it’s a WWWendy day, so I get de-stunk!
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:04 (average 4:16). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Cartoon:
Short Takes:
From The New Yorker: On the first day of the impeachment trial in the United States Senate, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican of Maine, spent hours trying to decide what she would have for lunch before ultimately ordering exactly what Senator Mitch McConnell was having.
Clutching the Senate takeout menu in her hands, Collins told reporters mid-morning that the decision of what to have for lunch was a matter of serious consideration and that she wanted to review all of the available options before selecting one.
“I’m deeply troubled and concerned about getting this order right,” Collins said. “There are many valid choices on this menu and I don’t want to give any of them short shrift.”
Around 11 a.m., rumors swirled that Collins was leaning toward ordering a quinoa salad, a choice that would have set her apart from the rest of her Republican colleagues in the upper chamber.
By noon, however, Collins emerged from her office to tell reporters that she had ordered the exact same thing that the Senate Majority Leader had chosen…
Dang, Andy! Are you echoing real life, or what! RESIST!!
From YouTube (CNN Channel): Key moments from the first day of the Senate impeachment trial
In my opinion, Day One was a clear and total victory for our House Managers. They were prepared, concise, honest, and respectful. In contrast, the lawyers representing criminal Trump* were unprepared, disorganized, blatantly dishonest, and flippant. The House Managers have already presented more evidence than Bought Mitch Midnight Moscow Mitch wanted to allow in the entire trial. May they keep going strong! RESIST!!
From YouTube (a blast from the past): Mungo Jerry – In The Summertime ORIGINAL 1970
Ah… a one hit wonder! RESIST!!
Vote Blue!!
10 Responses to “Open Thread – 1/22/2020”
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Cartoon: Yep! Pretty much.
NYer: Living up to her norms, un-decided…decided. What a poser. ugh!
CNN: I believe you’re right, in that the Dems won the first day. Meanwhile, the R’s lie, continually. They are not organized, nor know what they’re doing. (besides lying, covering up and defending dt). ugh.
Chief Justice admonishes discourse during the trial:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/01/22/john-roberts-admonishes-impeachment-managers-trump-laywers-sot-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/trump-ukraine/
BFTP: Awesome song!! Loved the words/tune!
Awwww….Tom.!!! I’m so sorry to read that, and can understand your reaction and also your frustration(s). I do hope that it will all straighten out for you and your PET and MRI come back in a positive healthy stead. Prayers UP for you as well. Take good, good, good care, and Thanks, Tom.
*This just in: “Mike Mulvaney (Director/OMB) released a huge cache of docs 2 minutes before midnight (deadline), re: Ukraine related records.” ~ Rick R. ~
2. Adderall , fast food overdose re: dt. “The mental and emotional stress of embarrassment and humiliation is going to be too much in the coming days/weeks. Iran is pressing him for their end as well w/lawsuits and a bounty on his head.” ~ John N. ~
3. “Sick, retired coal miners betrayed by GOP senators and Midnight/Moscow/Mitch. But…don’t worry, America, MMM has HealthCare!” ~ Michael G. ~
4. “Emo Trump vs Toilets, Windmills and more….” by Nick Lutsko. Hilarious!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUaBzZE9YHM
4:35 Too bad it’s orange. Oh, well.
Yes, that is a bummer, but it it’s correct, then it’s a good thing you have a surgeon who can admit he might be wrong. And a good thing it went to the panel. Even with all the tests, diagnosis is not an exact science (and likely never will be.) Don’t take out the frustration on WWWendy (not that you would, but some people would.)
Robert Reich has a video, not impeachment-related, but germane to the proceedings (and how we got here.)
Cartoon – I personally wouldn’t mind the barefoot part (except when it’s cold), since my feet don’t like shoes, and the feeling is mutual. But, when enforced and not chosen, it’s demeaning. And the pregnant part is not only demeaning but life-threatening (so much for “pro-life.”)
TNY – All together now – “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!”
CNN – It doesn’t surprise me that our House Managers are stellar. Nor that they “didn’t make it easy for Republicans.” We are not just trying to convince Republicans that they are wrong (probably a lost cause) but we also want to convince Democrats that we can get things done if we have a chance. There’s still a perception that Democrats are not doing or even saying enough – a perception reinforced by the media.
Past – I remember the name But in 1970 I was virtually sequestered on a large base in a tiny town in the South. I heard of him … but doubt I ever heard him.
I had to do a double-take when I saw this headline on a Diary over at Daily Kos today:
I thought – “Boy, Joanne’s Furies are really getting into this Super Hero stuff.”
But then I scrolled down …
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/1/22/1913262/-Furries-outside-convention-stop-domestic-violence-assault?utm_campaign=recent
LOL! Yes, I saw it too. Priceless. Someone in the comments said something like one might not want to wear the costumes, but they seem like great people to get to now and just hang with. I couldn’t agree more.
Damn, TC! You can’t catch break, can you?
New Yorker: So, Collins ordered a shit sandwich?
CNN: Prayer: “Keep us from dishonor.” Sure! Right! Lots of luck! Where the hell is separation of church and state? “It’s not right.,” Cipollone says. Wow, some sophisticated legal point! The GOP is, as currently constituted, totally incapable of anything but partisanship, on frigging steroids!
Music; “If your daddy’s rich, you can do what you please.” How remarkably fitting! this line has always brother me. This is exactly McTurtle’s plan, to do as he pleases. Theses exactly the right wing, elitist, Koch Boys, plan! However, I do like the music, a lot.
Well, that’s not the news you were hoping for WRT thoracic surgeon report. However, I will share with you my Mom’s story of her “diagnosis” of lung cancer.
When she was 93 y/o she had a cough which led to a CXR which led to a “diagnosis” of pneumonia vs. lung cancer which led to a needle biopsy which led to an ambiguous pathology report which led to it being presented to a panel of pathologists and oncologists which led to a “diagnosis” of the standard medical hedge language of “Consistent with but not diagnostic of …” which led to her being placed on Tarceva (which cost here ~ $1,000 out-of-pocket EVERY MONTH!).
She was on that med for 3 years before they decided after two completely unremarkable CXR they could stop.
Fortunately she was able to afford it – and boy, did we get to and through the Donut Hole lickety-split!
My experience with panel presentations is that they will ALWAYS come down on the side of treating the worst possible scenario. No one wants to be sued for saying “I really don’t think it’s cancer” – but it was.
I felt that was probably going to be the outcome when you said it was going to be presented – because docs will always error on the side of caution.
So while it’s not the news you were hoping for, I wouldn’t be totally discouraged. My Mom lived for more than FIVE years AFTER they stopped her chemo meds. And never had another issue with cancer – which I strongly doubt she ever had.
So I would wait and see what the PET & MRI scans show. And remember my Mom’s experience.
ETA: Just to be clear, I am NOT saying I think the panel’s opinion is wrong.
I’m just saying that I’d take it with a grain of salt.
After all – who wants to go out on a limb and invite a possible malpractice lawsuit by rendering a potentially wrong diagnosis?
Those medical guys really like to keep you on an emotional rollercoaster, don’t they? I hope the PET & MRI scans will be more conclusive, as this “you have, you haven’t” must be so discouraging for you, TomCat. Try to keep your hopes up and remember that whatever it is, they caught it in the early stages.
2:58 Dutch tulip?
Cartoon: Looks like the US has come nearly full circle.
TNY: Perfect parody and summary of everything Collins has ever done in the Senate.
CNN: Good show by Democrats. Nothing they do will alter the outcome, but as Joanne said, it might give their own voters a little more confidence in their ability to act and not just talk.
BFTP: This was a huge hit in Europe at the time and became one of those songs that are repeated year after year whenever summer starts. So lots of memories to choose from.
TNY: Like she didn’t have better things to do there. Crazy.
CNN: Hope the Democrats continue being strong. It’s a must.
BFTP: Love the song. Great lively tune.
Sorry to hear about the call you received. But have to agree with Joanne, that it’s good that your thoracic surgeon and his panel reviewed your medical information and are ordering your these tests. I will be praying for you TomCat.
Hope you have a nice visit with Wendy.
Take care. Thanks TomCat
Let us hope that the circus we call the impeachment hearings have a positive outcome. Not likely, considering how many GOP Senators will toe the party line at the expense of the country and people they represent – but maybe those who do so and are up for re-election will realize that they had committed political suicide when they see the voting results in November. We The People need to lean on all of them, especially the vulnerable ones, so we can get this country turned around and truly make it great!
Thanks all. Severe back ache. Need to lay down.